Terminal and control method thereof

ABSTRACT

A user terminal device, and a method of controlling a user terminal device are discussed. The user terminal device includes an ear accessory of the user terminal device including a first electrocardiogram (ECG) electrode contacted with an ear of a user, a second ECG electrode contacted with a hand of the user, and a first speaker configured to output an audio signal; a display; and a controller configured to display, on the display, bio information based on a first ECG signal from the first ECG electrode when the ear of the user is contacted with the first ECG electrode, and control an audio playback in response to a second ECG signal from the second ECG electrode when the hand of the user is contacted with the second ECG electrode.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of co-pending U.S. application Ser.No. 13/536,065 filed on Jun. 28, 2012, which claims priority under 35U.S.C. §119 and 35 U.S.C. §365 to Korean Patent Applications No.10-2011-0063728 filed on Jun. 29, 2011, No. 10-2011-0092211 filed onSep. 9, 2011, and No. 10-2011-0121306 filed on Nov. 21, 2011. The entirecontents of all of the above applications are hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a terminal and a control methodthereof.

Depending on whether a terminal can be moved, it is classified into amobile/portable terminal and a stationary terminal. Again, themobile/portable terminal is classified into a handheld terminal and avehicle mount terminal, depending on whether a user can carry itpersonally.

2. Description of the Related Art

As such a terminal has diversified functions, it is implemented with amultimedia player form having complex functions such as capturingpictures or videos, playing music or video files, playing games, orreceiving broadcasts.

In order to support and advance the functions of such a terminal,improving structural parts and/or software parts may be inconsideration.

In general, in the case of a personal computer (PC), the size of amonitor is relatively large, and the performance of a central processingunit (CPU) is relatively high, so that various functions may beperformed. In order to efficiently control such various functions, thePC includes diverse input devices such as a keyboard or a mouse.

Due to the advent of a mobile/portable terminal having a relativelylarge display unit and a high-performance CPU such as a touch-basedmobile phone, e-book reader, smart pad, and tablet PC without a keypad,the mobile/portable terminal may perform various functions.

However, since the mobile/portable terminal does not have an externalinput device such as a keyboard or a mouse in many cases, varioustechniques are in search in order to easily control various functionsthereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments provide a terminal for easily controlling various functionseven if it does not include an external input device such as a keyboardor a mouse, and a control method thereof.

In one embodiment, a terminal includes: at least one body sensor; atleast one wireless communication module; a display unit; a memory forstoring a program that processes at least one body signal detected bythe at least one body sensor; and a control unit for executing thememory.

The terminal may further include: a light emitting diode; and a lightreceiving diode for receiving the light emitted from the light emittingdiode, wherein the at least one body sensor includes a blood movementmeasuring sensor for generating a blood movement measurement signal fromthe current that the light receiving diode provides.

The terminal may further include an ECG electrode, wherein the at leastone body sensor includes an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor forgenerating an ECG signal from the ECG electrode.

The memory may further store an ECG pattern; and the program may performuser authentication when an ECG waveform detected from the ECG signaland the ECG pattern of the user are identical from comparison.

The at least one wireless communication module may include a bodycommunication module for demodulating a signal generated from the ECGelectrode in order to generate demodulated data, and providing a signalmodulated by modulating transmission data to the ECG electrode;

The terminal may further include a proximity sensor, wherein the ECGsensor starts to generate an ECG signal through the ECG electrode whenthe proximity of an object is detected through the proximity sensorduring a phone call; the control unit may obtain an excitement of a userfrom the ECG signal; the control unit may end a call or may output analarm when the excitement is more than a predetermined level; theproximity sensor may be disposed adjacent to the ECG electrode; and theECG electrode may be disposed adjacent to a call speaker.

The ECG electrode may be disposed at an ear accessory; and the controlunit may determine whether to output an audio signal to an ear speakerof the ear accessory on the basis of an ECG signal recognized throughthe ECG electrode.

The terminal may further include a hand contact ECG electrode, whereinthe hand contact ECG electrode is disposed at the ear accessory or theterminal; and the control unit performs an operation related to audioplayback or call reception on the basis of an ECG signal recognizedthrough the hand contact ECG electrode.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanyingdrawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent fromthe description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a portable terminal according to anembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a portable terminal according to anembodiment.

FIG. 3 is a right side view of a portable terminal according to anembodiment.

FIG. 4 is a right side view of a portable terminal according to anembodiment.

FIG. 5 is view illustrating the front bottom of a portable terminalaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is view illustrating the front bottom of a portable terminalaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a portable terminal according toan embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of a portable terminal according to anembodiment.

FIG. 9 is view illustrating a body sensing accessory connected to aportable terminal according to an embodiment.

FIG. 10 is schematic view of a portable terminal having an earphoneconnected according to an embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a bio information measuring device usinga wired headset according to an embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a view of a gain controlling unit equipped in an ECG sensoraccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a bio information measuring device usinga wired headset according to another embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a view illustrating a bio information measuring device usinga wired headset according to another embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a view illustrating a bio information measuring device usinga wireless headset according to an embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating part of a circuit of a portableterminal according to an embodiment.

FIG. 17 is schematic structure of a switch according to an embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram of a noise filter according to an embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of a noise filter according to an embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a noise filter according to an embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram of a noise filter according to anotherembodiment.

FIG. 22 is a view of an earphone jack type PPG sensor according to anembodiment.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram illustrating additional components of aportable terminal according to an embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart of a mode changing method according to anembodiment.

FIG. 25 is a graph illustrating a relation between a plurality of modesand an ECG signal according to an embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a mode changing graph according to an embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a view of an ECG pattern according to an embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling an operationof a portable terminal according to an embodiment.

FIG. 29 is a view illustrating a process for releasing a lock stateaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating a process for releasing a lock stateaccording to another embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a view illustrating a process for making a call according toan embodiment.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling an operationof a portable terminal according to an embodiment.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart illustrating a method of determining whether toend a call of a portable terminal according to another embodiment.

FIG. 34 is a view when a user's emotional state is matched to thecontact information of the other side call and is stored in a phonebook.

FIG. 35 is a view illustrating a method of managing a user's healthstate by using ECG data in a portable terminal 100 according to anembodiment.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling an operationof a portable terminal according to another embodiment.

FIG. 37 is a view illustrating a process for confirming message contentaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 38 is a ladder diagram illustrating a method of evaluating anevaluation target through an emotion sensed from an ECG signal accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart illustrating a data transmitting method of aportable terminal according to an embodiment.

FIG. 40 is a view illustrating a process for ECG pattern updateaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 41 is view illustrating GUI for connection device selectionaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 42 is view illustrating GUI for selecting a device to be connectedaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 43 is view illustrating GUI for file selection according to anembodiment.

FIG. 44 is view illustrating GUI for file selection according to anotherembodiment.

FIG. 45 is view illustrating GUI according to an embodiment.

FIG. 46 is a view illustrating a process for transmitting a contactnumber to a mobile phone at the other side according to an embodiment.

FIG. 47 is a view illustrating a process for listening to musicaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 48 is view illustrating a process for phone call according to anembodiment.

FIG. 49 is a view illustrating a process for transmitting a securityfile to the other side's mobile phone according to an embodiment.

FIG. 50 is a view illustrating a process for listening to musicaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 51 is view illustrating a process for phone call according to anembodiment.

FIG. 52 is a view illustrating a process for watching a video accordingto an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a portable terminal according to the present invention willbe described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.The suffix “module” and “unit” for components, which used in thedescription below, is assigned and mixed in consideration of onlyeasiness in writing the specification. That is, the suffix itself doesnot have different meanings or roles.

A portable terminal described in this specification may include a mobilephone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcast terminal, aPersonal Digital Assistant (PDA), a Portable Multimedia Player (PMP),and a GPS navigation system. However, it is apparent to those skilled inthe art that a configuration according to embodiments of the presentinvention may be applicable to a stationary terminal such as a digitalTV and a desktop computer, besides a portable terminal.

A structure of a portable terminal according to an embodiment will bedescribed below with reference to FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a portable terminal according to anembodiment.

The portable terminal 100 includes a wireless communication unit 110, anAudio/Video (A/V) input unit 120, a user input unit 130, a sensing unit140, an output unit 150, a memory 160, an interface unit 170, a controlunit 180, and a power supply unit 190. Since the portable terminal 100is not limited to the components shown in FIG. 1, it may be implementedwith more or less components.

Hereinafter, the components will be described sequentially.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include at least one module thatallows wireless communication between the portable terminal 100 and awireless communication system or between the portable terminal 100 and anetwork that the portable terminal 100 belongs. For example, thewireless communication unit 110 may include a broadcast receive module111, a mobile communication module 112, a wireless internet module 113,a short range communication module 114, a position information module115, and a body communication module 116.

The broadcast receive module 111 receives a broadcast signal and/orbroadcast related information from an external broadcast managementserver through a broadcast channel.

The broadcast channel may include a satellite channel a terrestrialchannel. The broadcast management server may refer to a server thatgenerates and transmits a broadcast signal and/or broadcast relatedinformation or a server that receives a pre-generated broadcast signaland/or broadcast related information and transmits it/them to aterminal. The broadcast signal may include a broadcast signal in thecombination form of a data broadcast signal and a TV broadcast signal ora radio broadcast signal, in addition to a TV broadcast signal, a radiobroadcast signal, and a data broadcast signal.

The broadcast related information may refer to information on abroadcast channel, a broadcast program, or a broadcast service provider.The broadcast related information may be provided through a mobilecommunication network. In this case, the broadcast related informationmay be received by the mobile communication module 112.

The broadcast related information may exist in various forms. Forexample, the broadcast related information may be in forms such asElectronic Program Guide (EPG) of DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting)or Electronic Service Guide (ESG) of DVB-H (Digital VideoBroadcast-Handheld (DVB-H).

The broadcast receiving module 111 may receive a digital broadcastsignal by using a digital broadcast system such as Digital MultimediaBroadcasting-Terrestrial (DMB-T), Digital MultimediaBroadcasting-Satellite (DMB-S), Media Forward Link Only (MediaFLO),Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld (DVB-H), and Integrated ServicesDigital Broadcast-Terrestrial (ISDB-T). Of course, the broadcastreceiving module 111 may be configured to be appropriate for the digitalbroadcast system and other broadcast systems.

A broadcast signal and/or broadcast related information received throughthe broadcast receiving module 111 may be stored in the memory 160.

The mobile communication module 112 transmits/receives a wireless signalto/from at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and aserver on a mobile communication network. The wireless signal mayinclude various forms of data according to a voice call signal, videocall signal, or character/multimedia message transmission.

The wireless internet module 113 refers to a module for wirelessinternet access, and may be embedded in or externally mounted on theportable terminal 100. A wireless internet technique includes WirelessLAN (WLAN), i.e. Wi-Fi, Wireless broadband (Wibro), WorldInteroperability for Microwave Access (Wimax), and High Speed DownlinkPacket Access (HSDPA).

The short range communication module 114 refers to a module for shortrange communication. A short range communication technique includesBluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), infrared DataAssociation (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), and ZigBee.

The position information module 115 is a module for obtaining theposition of a portable terminal, and its representative example includesa Global Position System (GPS).

The body communication module 116 outputs a modulated signal to anelectrode that contacts the body after modulating the received data fromthe control unit 180 in order for body communication. Additionally, thebody communication module 116 demodulates the received signal from theelectrode that contacts the body in order for body communication, andthen, delivers the demodulated data to the control unit 180. Themodulation for body communication may be Frequency Modulation (FM). Thedemodulation for body communication may be demodulation corresponding tothe FM.

Referring to FIG. 1, the A/V input unit 120 is used for an audio signalor video signal input, and may include a camera 121 and a mike 122. Thecamera 121 processes an image frame of a still image or a moving imageobtained by an image sensor during a video call mode or a capture mode.The processed image frame may be displayed on a display unit 151.

The image frame processed in the camera 121 may be stored in the memory160 or transmitted to an external through the wireless communicationunit 110. At least two cameras 121 may be equipped depending ton a usageenvironment.

The mike 122 receives an external sound signal through a microphoneduring a call mode, a recording mode, or a voice recognition mode, andthen, processes the received signal as electrical voice data. In thecase of a call mode, the processed voice data may be converted into aformat available for transmission to a mobile communication base stationby using the mobile communication module 112, and then, may beoutputted. Various noise canceling algorithms may be implemented in themike 122 in order to cancel the noise occurring while an external soundsignal is received.

The user input unit 130 generates input data for an operation control ofa terminal by a user. The user input unit 130 may include a key pad, adome switch, a touch pad (resistive/capacitive), a jog wheel, and a jogswitch.

The sensing unit 140 generates a sensing signal for controlling anoperation of the portable terminal 100 by sensing a current state of theportable terminal 100 such as the close/open state of the portableterminal 100, the position of the portable terminal 100, the usercontact of the portable terminal 100, the orientation of the portableterminal 100, and the acceleration/deceleration of the portable terminal100. For example, if the portable terminal 100 is the form of a slidephone, the sensing unit 140 senses whether the slide phone isopened/closed. Additionally, the sensing unit 140 senses whether thepower supply unit 190 supplies power or whether the interface unit 170is combined with an external device. Moreover, the sensing unit 140 mayinclude a proximity sensor 141 and a body sensor 142.

The body sensor 142 may include a finger print sensor 142 a, aphotoplethysmographic (PPG) signal sensor 142 b, and anElectrocardiogram (ECG) sensor 142 c.

The fingerprint sensor 142 a generates fingerprint recognitioninformation from a signal of a fingerprint recognition electrode. Thefingerprint sensor 142 a may or may not include a fingerprintrecognition electrode conceptually.

The PPG sensor 142 b generates a blood movement measurement signal fromthe current that is provided from a light receiving diode that receivesthe light emitted from a light emitting diode. The PPG sensor 142 b mayor may not include a light emitting diode and a light receiving diodeconceptually.

The ECG sensor 142 c generates an ECG signal from a signal of an ECGelectrode. The ECG sensor 142 c may or may not include an ECG electrodeconceptually.

The output unit 150 generates a visual, auditory or tactile output, andincludes a display unit 151, a sound outputting module 152, an alarmunit 153, and a haptic module 154.

The display unit 151 displays (outputs) information processed by theportable terminal 100. For example, when a portable terminal is in acall mode, the display unit 151 displays call related User Interface(UI) or Graphic User Interface (GUI). When the portable terminal 100 isin a video call mode or a capture mode, the display unit 100 displays acaptured or/and received image, UI, and GUI.

The display unit 151 includes at least one of a liquid crystal display(LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT LCD), anorganic light-emitting diode (OLED), a flexible display, and a 3Ddisplay.

Some displays may be configured with a transparent type or a lighttransmission type in order to see an external through them. This may becalled a transparent display, and its representative example is aTransparent OLED (TOLED). The display unit 151 may be configured with arear structure or a light transmission type structure. According to sucha structure, a user may see an object at the rear of a terminal bodythrough an area that the display unit 151 of the terminal body occupies.

At least two display units 151 may be provided according to animplementation form of the portable terminal 100. For example, aplurality of display units may be spaced from each other on one side,may be integrally disposed on one side, or may be disposed at differentsides, respectively.

When the display unit 151 and a touch operation sensing sensor(hereinafter, referred to as a touch sensor) have a mutual layerstructure (hereinafter, referred to as a touch screen), it may serve asan input device in addition to an output device. A touch sensor may havea form such as a touch film, a touch sheet, and a touch pad.

The touch sensor may be configured to convert a change of a pressureapplied to a specific portion of the display unit 151 or a change of acapacitance occurring at a specific portion of the display unit 151 intoan electrical input signal. The touch sensor may be configured to detecta pressure during touching in addition to a touched position and area.

If a touch input is provided for a touch sensor, signal(s) correspondingthereto is(are) transmitted to a touch controller. The touch controllerprocesses the signal(s) and then transmits corresponding data to thecontrol unit 180. By doing so, the control unit 180 recognizes whicharea of the display unit 151 is touched.

Referring to FIG. 1, the proximity sensor 141 may be disposed in aninner area of a portable terminal surrounded by the touch screen or nearthe touch screen. The proximity sensor 141 is a sensor for detecting anobject that approaches a predetermined detection side or an object thatexists near the proximity sensor 141, by using electromagnetic force orinfrared without mechanical contact. The proximity sensor 141 has alonger lifecycle and a higher utilization than a contact type sensor.

The proximity sensor 141 may include a transmission type photoelectricsensor, a direct reflection type photoelectric sensor, a mirrorreflection type photoelectric sensor, a high frequency oscillation typeproximity sensor, a capacitance type proximity sensor, a magnetic typeproximity sensor, and an infrared proximity sensor. If the touch screenis a capacitive type, it is configured to detect the proximity of thepointer by using the change in an electric field according to theproximity of the pointer. In this case, the touch screen (i.e., a touchsensor) may be classified as a proximity sensor.

For convenience of description, an action for recognizing that thepointer is positioned on the touch screen is called “proximity touch”,and an action that a pointer actually contacts the touch screen iscalled “contact touch”. The position where a pointer contacts the touchscreen through proximity touch means that the pointer contacts the touchscreen vertically through proximity touch.

The proximity sensor detects proximity touch and a proximity touchpattern (for example, proximity touch distance, proximity touchdirection, proximity touch speed, proximity touch time, proximity touchposition, and proximity touch moving state). Information on the detectedproximity touch operation and proximity touch pattern may be outputtedon a screen.

The audio output module 152 may output audio data received from thewireless communication unit 110 or stored in the memory 160 during callsignal reception, a call mode, a recording mode, a voice recognitionmode, or a broadcast receiving mode. The sound outputting module 152outputs a sound signal, which is related to a function of the portableterminal 100 (for example, a call signal incoming sound and a messageincoming sound). The sound outputting module 152 may include a receiver,a speaker, and a buzzer.

The alarm unit 153 outputs a signal notifying an event occurrence of theportable terminal 100. Examples of the event occurring in the portableterminal 100 includes call signal reception, message reception, keysignal input, and touch input. The alarm unit 153 may output a signalnotifying event occurrence through vibration in addition to a videosignal or an audio signal. Since the video signal or the audio signalmay be outputted through the display unit 151 or the sound outputtingmodule 152, they 151 and 152 may be classified as part of the alarm unit153.

The haptic module 154 generates various haptic effects that a user canfeel. A representative example of a haptic effect that the haptic module154 generates includes vibration. The intensity and pattern of vibrationthat the haptic module 154 generates is controllable. For example,different vibrations are combined and outputted or are sequentiallyoutputted.

The haptic module 154 may generate various haptic effects such as pinarrangement that vertically moves with respect to a skin contactsurface, injection or suction power of air through an injection inlet ora suction inlet, rubbing for skin surface, electrode contact, an effectby stimuli such as electrostatic force, and an effect by cold/warm sensereproduction using a device that suctions or emits heat, in addition tothe vibration.

The haptic module 154 may be implemented to deliver a haptic effectthrough direct contact and also allows a user to feel a haptic effectthrough a muscle sense of a finger or an arm. At least two hapticmodules 154 may be equipped according to a configuration aspect of theportable terminal 100.

The memory 160 may store a program for an operation of the control unit180, and may temporarily store input/output data (for example, a phonebook, a message, a still image, and, a moving image. The memory 160 maystore data regarding the vibrations and sounds of various patterns,which are outputted during touch input on the touch screen.

The memory 160 may include at least one storage medium of a flash memorytype, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory(for example, SD or XD memory), Random Access Memory (RAM), StaticRandom Access Memory (SRAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), ElectricallyErasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), Programmable Read-OnlyMemory (PROM), magnetic memory, magnetic disk, and optical disk. Theportable terminal 100 may operate in relation to a web storage thatperforms a storage function of the memory 160 on internet.

The interface unit 170 serves as a path to all external devicesconnected to the portable terminal 100. The interface unit 170 receivesdata from an external device or power to deliver it to each component inthe portable terminal 100, or transmits data in the portable terminal100 to an external device For example, the interface unit 170 mayinclude a wire/wireless headset port, an external charging port, amemory card port, a port for connecting to a device having anidentification module, an audio Input/Output (I/O) port, a video I/Oport, and an earphone jack.

The identification module is a chip for storing various information tocertify the usage permission of the portable terminal 100, and mayinclude User Identify Module (UIM), Subscriber Identity Module (SIM),and Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM). A device having anidentification module (hereinafter, referred to as an identificationdevice) may be manufactured with a smart card type. Accordingly, theidentification device may be connected to the portable terminal 100through a port.

When the portable terminal 100 is connected to an external cradle, theinterface unit may serve as a path through which power from the cradleis supplied to the portable terminal 100, or a path through whichvarious command signals inputted from the cradle is delivered to theportable terminal 100. The various command signals or power inputtedfrom the cradle may operate as a signal that recognizes that theportable terminal 100 is properly mounted on the cradle.

The control unit 180 generally controls overall operations of theportable terminal 100. For example, the control unit 180 controls andprocesses operations related to voice call, data communication, andvideo call. The control unit 180 may include a multimedia module 181 forplaying multimedia. The multimedia module 181 may be implemented in thecontrol unit 180, and may be implemented, being separated from thecontrol unit 180.

The control unit 180 may perform a pattern recognition process forrecognizing handwriting input and picture drawing input on the touchscreen as a character and an image, respectively.

The power supply unit 190 receives external power and internal poweraccording to a control of the control unit 180, and then, supplies powernecessary for an operation of each component.

Various embodiments described herein may be implemented using a computeror similar device thereto readable medium through software, hardware ora combination thereof.

In terms of hardware implementation, embodiments described herein may beimplemented using at least one of application specific integratedcircuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signalprocessing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), fieldprogrammable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers,micro-controllers, microprocessors, electric units for performing otherfunctions. In some cases, embodiments may be implemented by the controlunit 180.

In terms of software implementation, embodiments related to a procedureor function may be implemented with an additional software module forperforming at least one function or operation. A software code may beimplemented by a software application written using a proper programlanguage. The software code is stored in the memory 160, and is executedby the control unit 180.

The external appearance of a portable terminal according to anembodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 9.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a portable terminal according to anembodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the portable terminal 100 includes a display unit151 at the front and four ECG electrodes 171. The four ECG electrodes171 are disposed at the top and bottom of the left bezel and the top andbottom of the right bezel of the portable terminal 100. In variousembodiments, the number of electrodes and their positions may vary.

FIG. 3 is a right side view of a portable terminal according to anembodiment.

As shown in FIG. 3, the portable terminal 100 includes two ECGelectrodes 171 at the right bezel. Each of the light emitting diode 172and the light receiving diode 173 for the PPG sensor 142 b may bedisposed adjacent to the ECG electrode 171. Thereby, ECG measurement andblood movement measurement are possible at the same time.

Moreover, the portable terminal 100 includes two fingerprint recognitionelectrodes 174 instead of the two ECG electrodes 171 at the right bezel.The light emitting diode 172 and the light receiving diode 173 for thePPG sensor 142 b may be disposed adjacent to each of the ECG electrodes174. Thereby, fingerprint measurement and blood movement measurement arepossible at the same time.

In FIG. 3, the number of the ECG electrodes 171 and their positions, thenumber of the light emitting diodes 172 and their position, the numberof the light receiving diodes 173 and their positions, and the number ofthe fingerprint electrodes 174 and their positions may vary.

FIG. 4 is a right side view of a portable terminal according to anembodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4, the portable terminal 100 includes two fingerprintrecognition electrodes 174 at the right bezel. The light emitting diode172 and the light receiving diode 173 for the PPG sensor 142 b may bedisposed adjacent to each of the fingerprint recognition electrodes 174.Additionally, the ECG electrode 171 may be disposed adjacent to each ofthe fingerprint recognition electrodes 174. Thereby, fingerprintmeasurement and blood movement measurement are possible at the sametime.

In FIG. 4, the number of the ECG electrodes 171 and their positions, thenumber of the light emitting diodes 172 and their position, the numberof the light receiving diodes 173 and their positions, and the number ofthe fingerprint electrodes 174 and their positions may vary.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating the front bottom of a portable terminalaccording to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, the portable terminal 100 includes two ECGelectrodes 171 at the front bottom. Each of the light emitting diode 172and the light receiving diode 173 for the PPG sensor 142 b may bedisposed adjacent to the ECG electrode 171. Thereby, ECG measurement andblood movement measurement are possible at the same time.

Moreover, the portable terminal 100 includes two fingerprint recognitionelectrodes 174 instead of the two ECG electrodes 171 at the frontbottom. The light emitting diode 172 and the light receiving diode 173for the PPG sensor 142 b may be disposed adjacent to each of thefingerprint recognition electrodes 174. Thereby, fingerprint measurementand blood movement measurement are possible at the same time.

In FIG. 5, the number of the ECG electrodes 171 and their positions, thenumber of the light emitting diodes 172 and their position, the numberof the light receiving diodes 173 and their positions, and the number ofthe fingerprint electrodes 174 and their positions may vary.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating the front bottom of a portable terminalaccording to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 6, the portable terminal 100 includes two fingerprintrecognition electrodes 174 at the right bezel. The light emitting diode172 and the light receiving diode 173 for the PPG sensor 142 b may bedisposed adjacent to each of the fingerprint recognition electrodes 174.Additionally, the ECG electrode 171 may be disposed adjacent to each ofthe fingerprint recognition electrodes 174. Thereby, fingerprintmeasurement and blood movement measurement are possible at the sametime.

In FIG. 6, the number of the ECG electrodes 171 and their positions, thenumber of the light emitting diodes 172 and their position, the numberof the light receiving diodes 173 and their positions, and the number ofthe fingerprint electrodes 174 and their positions may vary.

In FIGS. 3 to 6, the ECG electrode 171 or the fingerprint recognitionelectrode 174 may be disposed at a function button such as a powerbutton, a home button, an event obtaining button, and a next eventperiod playing button. Here, the event obtaining button may correspondto a recording button or a picture capturing button. The next eventperiod playing button may correspond to a next image displaying button,a next page displaying button, a next music playing button, or a nextvideo period playing button.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a portable terminal according toan embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 7, the portable terminal 100 may have a bar-shapedbody. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and thusmay be applicable to various structures such as a slide type, a foldertype, a swing type, and a swivel type, where at least two bodies arecombined for relative movement.

Bodies 101 and 102 include a case (for example, casing, housing, andcover) constituting the outer appearance. In this embodiment, the casemay be divided into the front case 101 and the rear case 102. Variouselectronic components are embedded in a space between the front case 101and the rear case 102. At least one middle case may be additionallydisposed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102.

The cases may be formed by injecting synthetic resins or may be formedof metallic materials such as stainless steel (STS) or titanium (Ti).

The bodies 101 and 102 of the portable terminal 100 may include adisplay module 151, a sound outputting module 152, a camera 121, a userinput unit 130, a mike 122, and an interface 170.

The display module 151 occupies a great part of the main surface of thefront case 101. The sound outputting module 152 and the camera 121 aredisposed at an area adjacent to one end of the both ends of the displaymodule 151, and the user input unit 130 and the mike 122 are disposed atan area adjacent to the other end.

The user input unit 130 and the interface 170 may be disposed at thesides of the front case 101 and the rear case 102.

The user input unit 130 may be manipulated in order to receive a commandfor controlling an operation of the portable terminal 100.

The user input unit 130 may be called a manipulating portion, and mayinclude a key button 131. The user input unit 130 may be in a tactilemanner through which a user manipulates it with tactile sense.

Additionally, according to an embodiment of the present invention, theproximity sensor 141, and the plurality of ECG electrodes may bedisposed at the bodies 101 and 102 of the portable terminal 100.

The proximity sensor 141 is disposed at the front of the portableterminal 100 in order to detect an object that approaches a specificposition of the body. For example, the proximity sensor 141 is disposedadjacent to the sound outputting module 152 that operates as a speakeroutputting a call sound during a call mode and the ECG electrode 171used for sensing ECG, so that whether the head of user approaches thesound outputting module 152 is sensed during a call mode.

Additionally, one of the plurality of ECG electrodes 171 may be disposedadjacent to the sound outputting module 152 at the front of the portableterminal 100, and another may be disposed at the side of the portableterminal 100. When one of the plurality of ECG electrodes 171 isdisposed at the side of the portable terminal 100, it may be disposed atthe side of the front case 101, the side of the rear case 102, or thesides of the front case 101 and the rear case 102.

The ECG electrode 171 disposed at the front of the portable terminal 100may be used to sense an ECG signal of a user, contacting the ear or headof a user during a call.

The ECG electrode 171 disposed at the side of the portable terminal 100may be used to sense an ECG signal of a user, contacting the hand of auser during a call.

The plurality of ECG electrode 171 may be disposed at a position whereit can easily contact the skin surface of a user while the user makes acall using the portable terminal 100 or manipulates the portableterminal 100.

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of a portable terminal according to anembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 8, a camera 121′ may be additionally mounted at thebody rear of the portable terminal 100, i.e. the rear case 102. Thecamera 121′ substantially may have an opposite capturing direction tothe camera 121 of FIG. 2, and may have different pixels than the camera121.

For example, the camera 121 may have low pixels in order to capture theface of a user and than transmit the captured face image to the otherparty without difficulties, and the camera 121′ may have high pixels inorder to capture a general object without the need for transmission. Thecameras 121 and 121′ may be installed at the terminal body in order tomake rotation and popup possible.

A flash 123 and a mirror 124 may be additionally disposed adjacent tothe camera 121′. The flash 123 emits light toward an object when thecamera 121′ captures the object. The mirror 124 may be used in orderthat a user looks at himself/herself when the user captureshimself/herself (self-shooting) by using the camera 121′.

A sound outputting module 152′ may be additionally disposed at the bodyrear of the portable terminal 100. The sound outputting module 152′ mayperform a stereo function together with the sound outputting module 152of FIG. 2, and also may be used for implementing a speaker phone modeduring a call.

A broadcast signal receiving antenna 124 may be additionally disposed atthe body side of the portable terminal 100, in addition to an antennafor a call. The antenna 124 constituting part of the broadcast receivingmodule 111 of FIG. 1 may be installed to be drawn from the terminalbody.

The power supply unit 190 is mounted at the body of the portableterminal 100 in order to supply power to the portable terminal 100. Thepower supply unit 190 may be embedded in the portable terminal 100, ormay be installed to be detachable from the external body of the portableterminal 100.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a body sensing accessory connected to aportable terminal according to an embodiment.

The body sensing accessory shown in FIG. 9 may be connected to theearphone jack 176 of the portable terminal 100. Especially, the bodysensing accessory shown in FIG. 9 may be an earphone or the headsetconnected to the earphone jack 176 of the portable terminal 100. Asshown in FIG. 9, the body sensing accessory may include two soundoutputting modules 152. The light emitting diode 172 and the lightreceiving diode 173 for the PPG sensor 142 b may be disposed adjacent toeach of the sound outputting modules 152. By doing so, even if theportable terminal 100 does not provide a blood movement measurementfunction, a user may measure a blood movement, while listening to music.

Moreover, the body sensing accessory may include the two ECG electrodes171 instead of the two sound outputting module 152. Each of the lightemitting diode 172 and the light receiving diode 173 for the PPG sensor142 b may be disposed adjacent to the ECG electrode 171. By doing so,even if the portable terminal 100 does not provide an ECG measurementfunction and a blood movement measurement function, a user may measurean ECG and a blood movement at the same time.

Moreover, the body sensing accessory may include the two fingerprintrecognition electrodes 174 instead of the two sound outputting modules152. The light emitting diode 172 and the light receiving diode 173 forthe PPG sensor 142 b may be disposed adjacent to each of the fingerprintrecognition electrodes 174. By doing so, even if the portable terminal100 does not provide a fingerprint measurement function and a bloodmovement measurement function, a user may measure a fingerprint and ablood movement at the same time.

FIG. 10 is schematic view of a portable terminal having an earphoneconnected according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 10, the earphone 300 may be detachable to the mainbody of the portable terminal 100 through the earphone jack 176.

The main body of the portable terminal 100 may have various types suchas a slide type and a folder type. The main body of the portableterminal 100 is equipped with the earphone jack 176 from which theearphone 300 is detachable. The earphone jack 176 may include apredetermined number of connection terminals.

For example, if the earphone 300 is a 4-pole earphone, it includes amike 300 for collecting a sound signal of a user in order to supportPush To Talk (PTT) service, and accordingly, one of the connectionterminals of the earphone jack 176 may include a mike terminal todeliver the user sound signal, collected by the mike 330, into theportable terminal 100.

Moreover, the earphone 300 may further include a plurality of ECGelectrodes 341 in order to obtain an ECG signal of a user. When a userplugs the earphone 300 in the ears, electrodes 341 may be disposed atthe main body of the earphone 300 in order to contact the skin surfaceof the user and sense an ECG signal.

Furthermore, if the earphone 300 includes a plurality of ECG electrodes341 for sensing an ECG signal, the earphone jack 176 may further includea terminal for delivering ECG signals, collected by the plurality of ECGelectrodes 341 for sensing an ECG signal, to the portable terminal 100.

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a bio information measuring device usinga wired headset according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, aportable terminal includes an embedded ECG sensor 142 c, and an earphonejack 176 may include at least one pin for an audio signal and at leastone pin for ECG signal.

As shown in FIG. 11, the wired headset 50 includes at least one ECGelectrode 50 a disposed at a portion that contacts the ear and at leastone ECG electrode 50 b disposed at a portion, i.e. the outside of thewired headset 50, where the hand frequently contacts when a user wearsthe wired headset 50.

The headset 50 is connected to the earphone jack 176 of the portableterminal through a plug at the end of the cable. The earphone jack 176includes a pin for outputting a bio signal such as an ECG signalmeasured by the headset 60 into the ECG sensor 142 c, in addition to apin (or terminal) for outputting an audio signal to the wired headset50.

The portable terminal 100 to which the plug of the wired headset 50 isconnected may additionally include a contact sensing unit 102, amultiplexer (MUX) 103, and an ECG sensor 142 c, in addition to an audiocodec 240 and the control unit 180 in the portable terminal of FIG. 1.However, if the portable terminal 100 does not include an ECG electrode,the MUX 103 may be unnecessary.

The contact sensing unit 102 senses whether the ECG electrode of thewired headset 50 and the ECG electrode of the portable terminal 100contact the user's ear or hand.

According to a contact sensing state sensed by the contact sensing unit102, the control unit 180 controls the audio codec 240, the MUX 103, andthe ECG sensor 142 c.

When a user selects a predetermined music related application (forexample, an MP3 function) by using the portable terminal 100, the audiocodec 240 outputs an audio signal (i.e. music) through an internal soundoutputting module (i.e. a speaker). When the plug of the wired headset50 is connected to the earphone jack 176, the audio codec 240 senses itand then outputs the audio signal to the earphone jack 176 in order tooutput the audio signal to the wired headset 50.

The MUX 103 delivers an ECG signal, sensed by the ECG electrode of thewired headset 50 or the ECG electrode of the portable terminal 100, intothe ECG sensor 142 c according to a control MUX_CONT of the control unit180.

The ECG sensor 142 c generates an analog ECG signal by using thepotential difference of the ECG signal sensed through at least one ECGelectrode at the wired headset 50 or one side of the portable terminal.In general, in relation to an ECG, a potential difference of anelectrical signal varies according to a measurement position. Forexample, a portion such as the hand close to the heart has a highpotential difference, so that an ECG waveform may be sensed well.However, a portion such as the ear far from the heart has a lowpotential difference, so that an ECG waveform may not be sensed well.

Therefore, the control unit 180 determines whether the hand or the earcontacts the ECG electrode or whether one hand or both hands contact(s)the ECG electrode even when the hand contacts the ECG electrode, inorder to output different control signals CONT to the ECG sensor 142.Therefore, the ECG sensor 142 c amplifies an ECG signal with a gaindetermined by the control signal CON in order to generate the amplifiedECG signal. The amplified ECG signal is delivered to the control unit180, so that the control unit 180 displays the amplified ECG signal orinformation, obtained from the amplified ECG signal, on the display unit151. Thus, the information on the display unit 151 is provided to auser.

Especially, the control unit 180 of FIG. 11 may include an MCU or anapplication program separated from the control unit 180 of FIG. 1. Thisis for the load of the control unit 180, and the control unit 180 ofFIG. 11 is connected to the control unit 180 of FIG. 1. Additionally,pins (or terminals) of the earphone jack are divided for an audio signaland an ECG signal.

Also, when ear contact and hand contact occur frequently, correspondingcontact is processed according to a priority. As one example, when atleast two contacts, i.e. ear and hand contacts, occur, for example, thehands contacts the electrode of the portable terminal while a user wearsthe headset, a priority is given to the electrode at the ear.

FIG. 12 is a view of a gain controlling unit equipped in an ECG sensoraccording to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 12, a switch SW switches one of resistors R1, R2, andR3 according to a control signal CONT outputted from the control unit180. The amplification unit AMP amplifies an input signal (i.e. anelectrical signal outputted from an electrode) by a gain determined bythe switched resistor. At this point, when the both ears contact an ECGelectrode of the headset, the resistor R1 is connected, and when thehand contacts an ECG electrode of the headset, the resistor R2 isconnected, and when the hand contacts an ECG electrode of the portableterminal 100, the resistor R3 is connected.

Listening to music and user's health check in an ECG sensor applicationdevice by using the headset, and a control operation of a portableterminal according to an embodiment will be described below withreference to FIG. 11.

1. Listening to Music and User's Health Check

When a user selects a predetermined music related application, forexample, an MP3 function, by using a portable terminal, the audio codec240 outputs an audio signal (i.e. music) through the internal soundoutputting module (i.e., a speaker) 152.

During this state, when the plug of the headset 50 is connected to theearphone jack 176 of the portable terminal 100, the audio codec 240 doesnot output the audio signal to the internal sound outputting module(i.e. a speaker) 152 according to an earphone jack detect signalEARJACK_DET, but outputs the audio signal to the earphone jack 176, sothat the audio signal is outputted to the ear speaker (not shown) of theheadset 50. As a result, a user may listen to music, wearing the headset50.

While a user listens to music, he/she executes a predeterminedapplication for ECG measurement, the ECG electrode 50 a at the earcontact portion, i.e. the inside of the headset 50, outputs an ECGsignal EAR_R and EAR_L, measured from the both ears of the user, to theearphone jack 176 of the portable terminal. The contact sensing unit 102detects that a current user wears the headset and the contact points ofthe headset are the both ears on the basis of the ECG signals EAR_R andEAR_L received through the receiving pin (i.e. a terminal) of theearphone jack 176, and then, outputs the detected contact state to thecontrol unit 180.

According to the contact detect state, the control unit 180 outputs acontrol signal MUX_CONT to the MUX 103, and also outputs a gain controlsignal CONT to the ECT sensor 142 c in order to control an amplificationrate of an ECG signal. The MUX 103 outputs the ECG signal EAR_R andEAR_L, applied through the earphone jack 176, to the ECG sensor 142 caccording to the control signal MUX_CONT.

Accordingly, the ECG sensor 142 c amplifies the ECG signal EAR_R andEAR_L, inputted through the MUX 103, by different application ratesaccording the gain control signal CONT outputted from the control unit180, and then, outputs the amplified ECG signal to the control unit 180.The control unit 180 displays the corresponding ECG signal on thedisplay unit 151.

According to embodiments, an audio signal and an ECG signal arephysically separated through the inner pin (i.e. a terminal) of theearphone jack 176. Therefore, while a user listens to music through theheadset, a bio signal measured from the headset is detected through theECG sensor 142 c of the portable terminal in order to display a user'sECG waveform. Therefore, ECG measurement and listening to music areeasily performed.

Moreover, while a user wears the headset 50 and executes an applicationfor ECG measurement without executing an MP3 function, the headset 50may be only used for the purpose of ECG measurement.

2. Operation Control of Portable Terminal on the Basis of Ear Contactand Hand Contact of Headset

As mentioned above, ECG measurement is performed through the ECGelectrode 50 a attached to the inside of the headset 50. However,controls related to operations performed in the portable terminal suchas listening to music and call reception are performed basically throughthe contact of the headset electrode 50 a at the outside of the headset50. However, since the both sides or one side of the headset are or isavailable, speaking accurately, a combination of the electrodes 50 a and50 b at the headset 50 may be mainly used. Additionally, as mentioned inthe above embodiment, ECG electrodes at different positions may be usedfor the operation control of the portable terminal. However, in relationto the operation of the portable terminal 100, the priority of the ECTelectrode of the headset 50 is high and the priority of the ECGelectrode at the portable terminal may be low.

Accordingly, while a user wears the headset 50, even if one handcontacts the electrode 50 b of the headset 50 and the other handcontacts the ECG electrode 171 of the portable terminal 100, anoperation of the portable terminal 100 is controlled according to thecontact of the headset electrode 50 b. However, when a user wears theheadset 50, in case that he/she contacts the ECG electrode 171 withoutcontacting the headset electrode 50 b, an operation of the portableterminal 100 may be controlled according to the ECG electrode 171.

Table 1 and Table 2 illustrate cases of when an operation of a portableterminal is controlled according to the ear contact and hand contact ofthe headset.

TABLE 1 Contact point Operation of User gesture with headset portableterminal Detach headset None None/pause Wear both sides of headset Bothears MP3 play Wear both sides of headset + Both ears + one handForward/Reverse one hand contact Wear both sides of headset + Bothears + one hand Pause/play one hand double contact Wear one side ofheadset One ear Pause

TABLE 2 Contact point Operation of User gesture with headset portableterminal Detach headset None None Wear headset (one side One ear or bothears Call connection when or both sides) receiving a call Wear headset +one hand One ear or both 1. call connection when contact ears + one handreceiving a call 2. call waiting Detach headset None End

As shown in FIG. 11, the contact sensing unit 102 determines whether auser wears the headset 50 or a user's hand contacts an ECG electrodeaccording to the voltage size of an ECG signal measured from a pluralityof ECG electrodes 50 a attached to the inside of the headset 50, aplurality of ECG electrodes 50 b attached to the outside of the headset50, and a plurality of ECG electrode 171 attached to a portableterminal. The reason is that an ECG signal measured from the ear isdifferent from that measured from the hand, and furthermore, handcontacts on the headset and the portable terminal may be different.

Accordingly, the control unit 180 may perform an MP3 playback control(for example, playback, fast forward, rewind, pause, and other), a calloperation (for example, call connection and call end), a lock control(for example, screen lock release), according to a contact detect stateoutputted from the contact sensing unit 102.

Hereinafter, controlling MP3 playback and a call connection operationaccording to ear contact and hand contact will be described below.

As shown in Table 1, when the headset is taken off with no function inexecution, no operation is performed. However, when a user wears andtakes off the headset 50 while an MP3 function is executed, the MP3playback stops temporarily. And, the MP3 playback starts again when theuser wears the headset 50 again.

Moreover, while a user wears the both sides of the headset 50, in casethat the one hand contacts the electrode 50 b (or the electrode 171) atthe side of the headset 50, the control unit 180 may perform a forwardor reverse operation on the MP3 playback according to a touch of theright-side electrode or the left-side electrode.

Moreover, while a user wears the both sides of the headset 50, in casethat one hand double-contacts the headset 50 b (or the electrode 171),the control unit 180 stops or perform the MP3 playback. At this point,the double contact may be distinguished by the right or left electrode.Additionally, when only one side of the headset remains after a userwears the both sides of the headset, the control unit 180 stops the MP3playback.

Moreover, the control unit 180 may process a call reception according tothe ear contact and hand contact of the headset. As shown in Table 2,when a call is received with the both sides of the headset put on (forexample, one side or both sides), a call is immediately connected.Additionally, when a call is received with the both sides of the headsetput on (for example, one side or both sides), a call connection isperformed, and later, when one hand contacts the electrode 50 a or 171,call waiting is performed (if the one hand contacts again, a call isperformed). Afterward, when the user takes off the headset, the controlunit 180 ends the call.

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a bio information measuring device usinga wired headset according to another embodiment. Although an audiosignal and an ECG signal are separated by increasing the number of pinsin the earphone jack 176 according to the embodiment of FIG. 11, theembodiment of FIG. 13 uses the earphone jack 176 as it is but uses aduplexer 105 that separates TX/RX signals by the frequency band.

That is, the duplex 105 outputs an audio signal of about 20 Hz, which isto be transmitted, to the earphone jack 176, and delivers an ECG signalof about 20 Hz, received from the headset 50 through the earphone jack176, to the contact sensing unit 102. Since other operations are thesame as those of FIG. 11, detailed description will be omitted.

The ECG sensor 142 c may be embedded in the portable terminal. However,the present invention is not limited thereto, and the ECG sensor 142 cmay be embedded in the headset. In this case, the headset analyzes anECG signal in order to measure ECG, and then transmits it the portableterminal.

FIG. 14 is a view illustrating a bio information measuring device usinga wired headset according to another embodiment. This embodimentincludes the ECG sensor embedded in the headset.

As shown in FIG. 14, when a user executes an MP3 function with theheadset 50 connected to the portable terminal 100, an audio signaloutputted from an audio codec 50-2 is outputted to an ear speaker 50-5of the headset 50 through the earphone jack 176.

When the headset 50 is connected to the earphone jack 176 of theportable terminal 100 or an audio signal is outputted through the earspeaker 50-5, a contact sensing unit 50-2 detects the contact (forexample, ear or hand contact) from the headset 50 in order to output acontact detect signal to an MCU 50-1. The MCU 50-1 determines the typesof contact (for example, ear or hand) according to the contact detectsignal outputted from the contact sensing unit, and then, outputs acontrol signal MUX_CONT for controlling a MUX 50-3 and a control signalCONT for controlling a gain of an ECG sensor 50-4.

The MUX 50-3 operates according to the control signal MUX_CONT in orderto output the ECG signal, detected by the electrode 50 a, to the ECGsensor 50-4, and outputs a signal Hand_R and Hand_L, detected by theelectrode 50 b at the side of the headset, to the earphone jack 176 ofthe portable terminal 100.

The ECG sensor 50-4 amplifies an ECG signal detected from the earaccording to the gain control signal CONT outputted from the MCU 50-2,and outputs the amplified ECG signal to the MCU 50-2. Then, the MCU 50-1outputs the ECT signal amplified by the ECG sensor 50-4 to the earphonejack 176 of the portable terminal through a serial interface.

Accordingly, the control unit 100 of the portable terminal displays theECG waveform received through the earphone jack 176 on the display unit151. While an MP3 function is executed or a call is received, thecontrol unit 100 controls various operations of the portable terminal(for example, MP3 playback, call reception, and screen lock release) asshown in Table 1 and Table 2, by using the hand detect signals Hand_Rand Hand_L, which are detected by the electrode 50 b of the headset anddelivered through the earphone jack 176, and the hand detect signalsHand_R and Hand_L, which are detected by the electrode 171 of theportable terminal.

In relation to the operations of FIGS. 11 to 14, the electrode 50 b ofthe headset 50 and the electrode 171 of the portable terminal may beused for detecting an ECG signal and also controlling an operation ofthe portable terminal Especially, when the ECG sensor is embedded in theheadset 50, the headset 50 measures a user's ECG signal and transmits itto the portable terminal.

According to the method and structure of applying an ECG sensor by usingthe headset shown in FIGS. 11 to 14, the headset is connected to theportable terminal by a wire. However, the present invention is notlimited thereto. That is, when the headset is connected to the portableterminal wirelessly, the almost same operation is provided.

FIG. 15 is a view illustrating a bio information measuring device usinga wireless headset according to an embodiment.

The wireless headset 51 includes a wireless communication unit 50-1. Thewireless communication unit 51-1 mainly performs short rangecommunication such as Bluetooth.

When a user executes an MP3 function in the portable terminal 100 withthe wireless headset 51 put on, the wireless communication unit 11transmits an audio signal through an antenna according to a control ofthe control unit 180. Then, the transmitted audio signal is received byan antenna of the wireless headset 51 and is applied to the wirelesscommunication unit 51-2. Accordingly, a DSP 51-2 processes the receivedaudio signal and outputs it to an ear speaker (not shown) in order toplay music.

While the music is played or an MP3 function is not executed, a userselects an application for ECG measurement from a menu and executes it.Then, a corresponding signal is delivered to the headset 51 and the DSP51-2 starts an operation for ECG measurement.

That is, the electrode at the inside of the headset 51 outputs a user'sbio signal, i.e. an ECG signal, and the electrode at the outside of theheadset 51 outputs user's hand touché signals Hand_R and Hand_L. Thecontact sensing unit 51-2 detects hand contact or ear contact from thesignals outputted from the electrodes 50 a and 50 b in order to acontact detect signal to the DSP 51-2. Also, the ECG sensor 51-3amplifies the ECG signal measured by the electrode 50 a according to thegain control signal of the DSP 51-2 in order to output it to the DSP51-2.

Accordingly, the DSP 51-2 outputs the ECG signal measured by the ECGsensor 51-3 to the portable terminal 100 through the wirelesscommunication unit 51-2, and the control unit 180 displays the ECGwaveform received through the wireless communication unit 110 on thedisplay unit 151.

Moreover, while the MP3 function is executed to play a predeterminedmusic through the ear speaker of the wireless headset 51, as shown inTable 1, if a user contacts the electrode 50 b or changes a wearingstate of the headset, the contact sensing unit 51-4 determines handcontacts Hand_R and Hand_L and ear contacts Ear_R and Ear_L in order tooutput a determination result to the DSP 51-2, and generates anoperation control signal for controlling an operation of the portableterminal according to the contact detect signal outputted from thecontact sensing unit 51-4, in order to transmit the operation controlsignal to the wireless communication unit 51-1.

Accordingly, the control unit 180 of the portable terminal controls anMP3 function as shown in Table 1 according to the operation controlsignal received through the wireless communication unit 110. Moreover,while a user wears the wireless headset 51 or listens to music with thewireless headset 51 put on, a call is received, as shown in Table 2, acall receiving operation is performed according to a contact state ofthe two electrodes 50 a and 50 b of the wireless headset 51.

Next, a circuit of a portable terminal according to an embodiment willbe described below with reference to FIG. 16.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating part of a circuit of a portableterminal according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 16, the portable terminal 100 further includes a switch310, a noise filter 200, an analog-digital converter (ADC) 210.

A plurality of ECG electrodes 171 correspond to ports for receiving anECG signal from a body.

The switch 310 connects the two body-contacted electrodes among theplurality of ECG electrode 171 to the ECG sensor 142 c, or to the bodycommunication module 116 according to a control signal of the controlunit 180.

The ECG sensor 142 c detects an analog ECG signal from the signal of thetwo body-contacted electrodes.

The ADC 210 converts the analog ECG signal into a digital ECG signal.

The noise filter 200 removes the noise from the digital ECG signal inorder to generate the filtered ECG signal, and then delivers thefiltered ECG signal to the control unit 180.

The body communication module 116 modulates the data received from thecontrol unit 180 for body communication, and outputs the modulatedsignal to the two body-contacted electrodes through the switch 310.Additionally, the body communication module 116 demodulates the receivedsignal from the two body-contacted electrodes, and then, delivers thedemodulated data to the control unit 180. The modulation for bodycommunication may be Frequency Modulation (FM). The demodulation forbody communication may be demodulation corresponding to the FM.

The control unit 180 compares a pattern of the ECG signal receivedthrough the ECG sensor 142 c with an ECG pattern of a user previouslystored in the memory 160. If they are identical, the control unit 180controls the switch 310 to be connected to the body communication module116.

FIG. 17 is schematic structure of a switch according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 17, the switch 310 may include a first transistor TR1and a second transistor TR2 in order for an ECG electrode 171 at thebody of the portable terminal 100, an ear contact electrode 50 a of anear accessory, and a hand contact electrode 50 b. It is assumed that thefirst transistor TR1 and the second transistor TR2 are a Field EffectTransistor (FET), but may be different kinds of transistors.

The first transistor TR1 related to the ECG electrode 171 includes agate electrode through which a control signal is supplied, a drainelectrode connected to the ECG electrode 171, and a source electrodeconnected to the ECG sensor 142 c. If the number of the ECG electrodes171 is more than two, the number of the first transistors TR1 may bemore than two.

The second transistor TR1 related to the ECG electrode 171 includes agate electrode through which a control signal is supplied, a drainelectrode connected to the ECG electrode 171, and a source electrodeconnected to the body communication module 116. If the number of the ECGelectrodes 171 is more than two, the number of the second transistorsTR2 may be more than two.

The first transistor TR1 related to the ear contact ECG electrode 50 aor 341 of the ear accessory includes a gate electrode through which acontrol signal is supplied, a drain electrode connected to the earcontact ECG electrode 50 a or 341, and a source electrode connected tothe ECG sensor 142 c. If the number of the ear contact ECG electrodes 50a or 341 is more than two, the number of the first transistors TR1 maybe more than two.

The second transistor TR2 related to the ear contact ECG electrode 50 aor 341 of the ear accessory includes a gate electrode through which acontrol signal is supplied, a drain electrode connected to the ECGelectrode 50 a or 341, and a source electrode connected to the bodycommunication module 116. If the number of the ECG electrodes 50 a or341 is more than two, the number of the second transistors TR2 may bemore than two.

The first transistor TR1 related to the hand contact ECG electrode 50 bincludes a gate electrode through which a control signal is supplied, adrain electrode connected to the ECG electrode 50 b, and a sourceelectrode connected to the ECG sensor 142 c. If the number of the ECGelectrodes 50 b is more than two, the number of the first transistorsTR1 may be more than two.

The second transistor TR2 related to the hand contact ECG electrode 50 bincludes a gate electrode through which a control signal is supplied, adrain electrode connected to the ECG electrode 50 b, and a sourceelectrode connected to the body communication module 116. If the numberof the ECG electrodes 50 b is more than two, the number of the secondtransistors TR2 may be more than two.

Additionally, according to an embodiment of the present invention, thecontrol unit 180 provides a control signal to the switch 310 based onwhether an ear accessory such as the earphone 300 or the headset 51 isattached to the portable terminal 100, in order to connect theelectrodes 171 at the body outside surface of the portable terminal 100or the electrodes 341 at the main body of the earphone 300 to the ECGsensor 142 c. Additionally, the control unit 180 provides a controlsignal to the switch 310 based on whether an ear accessory is attachedto the portable terminal 100, in order to connect the electrodes 171 atthe body outside surface of the portable terminal 100 or the electrodes341 at the main body of the earphone 300 to the body communicationmodule 116.

For example, if an ear accessory is attached to the portable terminal100, the control unit 180 provides a control signal to the switch 310 inorder to connect the ear contact ECG electrode of an ear accessoryand/or the hand contact ECG electrode of an ear accessory to the ECGsensor 142 c.

Additionally, if an ear accessory is attached to the portable terminal100, the control unit 180 provides a control signal to the switch 310 inorder to connect the ear contact ECG electrode of an ear accessoryand/or the hand contact ECG electrode of an ear accessory to the bodycommunication module 116.

Additionally, for example, if an ear accessory is not attached to theportable terminal 100, the control unit 180 may connect the electrodes171 at the body outside surface of the portable terminal 100 to the ECGsensor 142 c and/or the body communication module 116.

Again, referring to FIG. 17, the switch 203 controls the ECG signalobtained through the ECG electrodes 171, 50 a, 50 b, or 341 to beinputted into the ECG sensor 142 c and/or the body communication module116, on the basis of the control signal.

According to an embodiment, if an ear accessory is not attached to theportable terminal 100 and the proximity sensor 141 a detects theproximity of an object during a call, the control unit 180 may connectthe electrodes 171 at the body outside surface of the portable terminal100 to the ECG sensor 142 c and/or the body communication module 116.

According to an embodiment, if an ear accessory is not attached to theportable terminal 100, the control unit 180 may connect the electrode 50a, 50 b, or 341 at the ear accessory to the ECG sensor 142 c and/or thebody communication module 116.

Moreover, only when the portable terminal 100 operates in a call mode,the control unit 180 may activates the proximity sensor 141 a.Accordingly, the proximity sensor 141 a is activated only in a callmode, so that it detects an object approaching the sound outputtingmodule 152 and outputs a detect signal as a control signal.

The control unit 180 analyzes an ECG signal in order to check a user'semotion state and health state.

If no ECG electrode is connected to the ECG sensor 142 c, the controlunit 180 cuts off power to the ECG sensor 142 c, the ADC 210, and thenoise filter 200 in order to reduce power consumption.

Next, the noise filer 200 according to various embodiments will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 18 to 21.

Unlike dedicated ECG measurement equipment, the portable terminal 100 isexposed to various noise environments. For example, when the portableterminal measures ECG, a text message or a call may arrive, and at thispoint, alarm sound, bell sound, and vibration may be the noise of an ECGsignal. Moreover, a user may measure ECG in order to check a user'shealth or record a user's current emotion state while being on the move,listening to music, watching a video, or being at a concert. Noise mayoccur during winter due to electrostatic, and noise of about 60 Hzfrequency may occur due to AC power during charging of the portableterminal 100.

As mentioned above, when ECG is measured through the portable terminal100, a noise filter that is applicable to various noise environment isrequired.

Especially, while the control unit 180 measures ECG through the ECGsensor 142 c, once a text message or a call reception is detected, thecontrol unit 180 turns off the alarm unit 153.

Hereinafter, a filter that removes another noise will be described.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram of a noise filter according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 18, the noise filter 200 includes a noise detectingunit 220, and a noise removing unit 230.

The noise detecting unit 220 detects the noise from a digital ECGsignal. The detected noise may be a noise signal on a time axis or anoise frequency pattern on a frequency axis.

The noise removing unit 230 removes the noise from a digital ECG signal.Especially, when the noise detecting unit 220 detects a noise signal,the noise removing unit 230 may correspond to a subtraction unit thatreduces a noise signal from a digital ECG signal. Additionally, when thenoise detecting unit 220 detects a noise frequency pattern, the noiseremoving unit 230 may correspond to a notch filter that cuts off a noisefrequency pattern from a digital ECG signal.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of a noise filter according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 19, the noise filter 200 includes a noise detectingunit 220, and a noise removing unit 230. The noise detecting unit 220includes at least one typical noise source detecting unit 221 and acomparison unit 222.

The typical noise source detecting unit 221 detects a typical noisesource and outputs a noise source signal. The typical noise sourcedetecting unit 222 may correspond to a vibration sensor, anelectromagnetic sensor, a source detecting unit, and an AC powerdetecting unit. The vibration sensor detects vibration and outputs anoise source signal corresponding to the vibration detect signal. Theelectromagnetic sensor detects an electromagnetic wave and outputs anoise source signal corresponding to the electromagnetic detect signal.The sound detecting unit detects a sound source and outputs a noisesource signal corresponding to the signal source. The AC power detectingunit detects an AC power and outputs a noise source signal correspondingto the AC power signal.

The comparison unit 222 compares a digital ECG signal with a noisesource signal and outputs noise. The comparison unit 222 outputs a noisesignal or a noise frequency pattern.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a noise filter according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 20, the noise filter 200 includes a noise detectingunit 220, and a noise removing unit 230. The noise detecting unit 220includes an amplifier 223 and a saturation interval detecting unit 224.

The amplifier 223 amplifies a digital ECG signal and generates anamplified digital ECG signal.

The saturation interval detecting unit 224 detects a saturation intervalfrom the amplified ECG signal to detect the noise corresponding to thedetected saturation interval. The saturation interval detecting unit 224outputs a noise signal or a noise frequency pattern.

Through the noise filter of FIG. 20, noise due to electrostatic duringwinter or noise of about 60 Hz frequency during charging of the portableterminal 100 may be removed.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram of a noise filter according to anotherembodiment.

As shown in FIG. 21, a plurality of noise filters 200 may be connectedin series. For example, the portable terminal 100 may include a firstfilter corresponding to the noise filter of FIG. 19 and a second filtercorresponding to the noise filter of FIG. 20.

With reference to FIGS. 22 and 23, an earphone jack typephotoplethysmographic (PPG) signal sensor and a portable terminalsupporting the same will be described.

FIG. 22 is a view of an earphone jack type PPG sensor according to anembodiment.

As shown in FIG. 22, the earphone jack type PPG sensor 142 b includes alight emitting diode 172, a light receiving diode 173, a current-voltage(I-V) converter 720, a filter 730, an amplifier 735, and a plug 740. Theplug includes a mike signal port 740 a, a first ear speaker port 740 b,a second ear speaker port 740 c, and a ground port 740 d.

The anode terminal of the light emitting diode 172 is connected to thesecond ear speaker port 740 c, and its cathode terminal is connected tothe ground port 740 d. The anode terminal and the cathode terminal ofthe light receiving diode 173 are respectively connected to two inputterminals of the I-V converter 720. The output terminal of the I-Vconverter 720 is connected to the input terminal of the filter 730. Theoutput terminal of the filter 730 is connected to the input terminal ofthe amplifier 735. The output terminal of the amplifier 735 is connectedto the mike signal port 740 a.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram illustrating additional components of aportable terminal according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 23, the portable terminal 100 includes an earphone jack176, an audio codec 240, an ADC 250, and a switch 260. The earphone jack176 includes a mike signal port 176 a, a first ear speaker port 176 b, asecond ear speaker port 176 c, and a ground port 176 d.

The input terminal of the ADC 250 is connected to the mike signal port176 a. The output terminal of the ADC 250 is connected to the controlunit 180. One end of the switch 260 is connected to the mike signal port176 a and the other end is connected to the mike signal input terminalof the audio codec 240. The first ear speaker port 176 b and the secondear speaker port 176 c are connected to the two audio output terminal ofthe audio codec, respectively.

In order to use the earphone jack 176 for audio usually, the controlunit 180 provides a control signal to the switch 260 in order to turn iton.

Once the plug 740 is inserted into the earphone jack 176, the mikesignal port 740 a, the first ear speaker port 740 b, the second earspeaker port 740 c, and the ground port 740 d are connected to the mikesignal port 176 a, the first ear speaker port 176 b, the second earspeaker port 176 c, and the ground port 176 d, respectively.

Then, the light emitting diode 172 emits light by an initial voltageapplied to the second ear speaker port 176 c.

Moreover, the I-V converter 720, the filter 730, and the amplifier 735operate abnormally by an initial voltage applied to the first earspeaker port 176 b. That is, the light receiving diode 173 receives thelight emitted from the light emitting diode 172 in order to generate acurrent signal. The I-V converter 720 converts the generated currentsignal into a voltage signal by an initial voltage. The filter 730filters a voltage signal by an initial voltage in order to generate afiltered voltage signal. The amplifier 735 amplifies the voltage signalfiltered by an initial voltage in order to generate an initial PPGsignal.

The initial PPG signal is not an accurate blood movement measurementsignal, but increases a DC level of the mike signal port 176 a.

The ADC 250 converts the initial PPG signal into a digital signal andprovides it to the control unit 180.

When the control unit 180 detects a DC level increase of the mike signalport 176 a, it is recognized that the PPG sensor 142 b is inserted intothe earphone jack 176. Moreover, in order to use the earphone jack 176for the PPG sensor 142 b, the control unit 180 provides a control signalto the switch 260 in order to turn it off.

Moreover, in order to provide stable power to the PPG sensor 142 b, thecontrol unit 180 controls the audio codec 240 in order to provide DCvoltage to the first ear speaker port 176 b and the second ear speakerport 176 c.

Once stable power is provided to the PPG sensor 142 b, the lightemitting diode 172 emits light normally by the DC voltage applied to thesecond ear speaker port 740 c. Moreover, the I-V converter 720, thefilter 730, and the amplifier 735 operate normally by the DC voltageapplied to the first ear speaker port 740 b. Accordingly, the amplifier735 provides a normal blood movement measurement signal to the mikesignal port 740 a, and the ADC 250 converts a normal blood movementmeasurement signal into a digital signal and provides it to the controlunit 180.

Then, a method of changing a mode of a portable terminal will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 24 to 27.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart of a mode changing method according to anembodiment.

First, the control unit 180 of the portable terminal 100 is in a firstmode M1 in operation S201. According to an embodiment, the first mode M1may be a sleep mode. According to an embodiment, the first mode M1 maybe a call reception state. According to an embodiment, the first mode M1may be a message reception state.

In the first mode M1, the control unit 180 confirms a DC level increaseof an ECG signal in operation S203. When the user's hand contacts one ofthe plurality of ECG electrodes 171, the DC level of an ECG signal isincreased, but an ECG waveform does not occur. When the user's handcontacts at least two of the plurality of ECG electrodes 171, the DClevel of an ECG signal is increased, and an ECG waveform occurs.

Once the DC level of an ECG signal is increased, the control unit 180recognizes that interrupt corresponding to a body contact input occursin operation S205, and changes the first mode M1 into a second mode M2in response to interrupt corresponding to a body contact input inoperation S207.

In the second mode M2, the control unit 180 confirms the detection of anECG waveform in operation S209. In general, when the user's handcontacts at least two of the plurality of ECG electrodes 171, an ECGwaveform occurs.

Once an ECG waveform is detected, the control unit 180 recognizes thatinterrupt corresponding to a grip input occurs in operation S211, andchanges the second mode M2 into a third mode M3 in response to interruptcorresponding to the grip input in operation S213.

In the third mode M2, the control unit 180 confirms the detection of asqueeze waveform in operation S215. In general, when the user's handcontacts at least two of the plurality of ECG electrodes 171, a usersqueezes the portable terminal 100, an electromyogram (EMG) waveformoccurs due to the strength of an EMG signal.

Once an EMG waveform is detected, the control unit 180 recognizes thatinterrupt corresponding to a squeeze input occurs in operation S217, andchanges the third mode M3 into a fourth mode M4 in response to interruptcorresponding to the squeeze input in operation S219.

In the fourth mode M4, the control unit 180 confirms a pattern of thereceived ECG signal is identical to a pattern of a user's ECG signal inoperation S221.

Once they are identical, the control unit 180 determines that a userauthentication is successful, and changes the fourth mode M4 into afifth mode M5.

FIG. 25 is a graph illustrating a relation between a plurality of modesand an ECG signal according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 25, when the DC level of an ECG signal is less than thepredetermined level, the control unit 180 is in the first mode M1.

When the user's hand contacts one of the plurality of ECG electrodes171, the DC level of an ECG signal becomes more than the predeterminedlevel, and the control unit 180 changes the first mode M1 into thesecond mode M2.

When the user's hand contacts at least two of the plurality of ECGelectrodes 171, an ECG waveform occurs, and the control unit 180 changesthe second mode M2 into the third mode M3.

When the user's hand contacts at least two of the plurality of ECGelectrodes 171 and the user squeezes the portable terminal 100, as shownin FIG. 25, an EMG waveform occurs, and the control unit 180 changes thethird mode M3 into the fourth mode M4.

When the user's hand contacts at least two of the plurality of ECGelectrodes 171 and the user release the portable terminal 100, an ECGwaveform occurs again. At this point, the control unit 180 performs userauthentication and it is successful, the control unit 180 changes thefourth mode M2 into the fifth mode M5.

FIG. 26 is a mode changing graph according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 26, when a DC level increase of an ECG signal isdetected in the first mode M1, the control unit 180 changes the firstmode M1 into the second mode M2.

Once an ECG waveform occurs in the second mode M2, the control unit 180changes the second mode M2 into the third mode M3. When the DC level ofan ECG signal maintains a low level for a predetermined time in thesecond mode M2, the control unit 180 changes the second mode M2 into thefirst mode M1.

Once an EMG waveform occurs in the second mode M2, the control unit 180changes the second mode M2 into the third mode M3. When the DC level ofan ECG signal maintains a low level for a predetermined time in thethird mode M3, the control unit 180 changes the third mode M3 into thefirst mode M1. If an ECG waveform is not detected for a predeterminedtime in the third mode M3, the control unit 180 changes the third modeM3 into the second mode M2.

Once an ECG waveform occurs in the fourth mode M4, the control unit 180performs user authentication, and if it is successful, changes thefourth mode M4 into the fifth mode M5. When the DC level of an ECGsignal maintains a low level for a predetermined time in the fourth modeM4, the control unit 180 changes the fourth mode M4 into the first modeM1. If an ECG waveform is not detected for a predetermined time in thefourth mode M4, the control unit 180 changes the fourth mode M4 into thesecond mode M2.

When the DC level of an ECG signal maintains a low level for apredetermined time in the fifth mode M5, the control unit 180 changesthe fifth mode M5 into the first mode M1. If an ECG waveform is notdetected for a predetermined time in the fifth mode M5, the control unit180 changes the fifth mode M5 into the second mode M2.

According to an embodiment, if user authentication is successful throughan ECG signal and an EMG waveform occurs in the third mode M3, thecontrol unit 180 changes the third mode M3 into the fourth mode M4. Inthis case, since the user authentication is performed, the control unit180 may not perform user authentication in the fourth mode M4.

In the above, the first mode M1, the second mode M2, the third mode M3,the fourth mode M4, and the fifth mode M4 are mentioned, but some ofthem may be omitted. That is, according to an embodiment, the first modeM1 may be omitted. According to an embodiment, the fourth mode M4 may beomitted. According to an embodiment, the fifth mode M5 may be omitted.According to an embodiment, the third mode M3 and the fourth mode M4 maybe omitted.

Additionally, at least two modes of the above modes may be combined toconstitute one mode. According to an embodiment, the first mode M1 andthe second mode M2 may be combined. According to an embodiment, thesecond mode M2 and the third mode M3 may be combined. According to anembodiment, the third mode M3 and the fourth mode M4 may be combined.

Furthermore, some changing paths may be omitted. For example, a changingpath from the third mode M3 into the first mode M1 may be omitted.

A condition for changing one mode to another mode may be changed.

According to an embodiment, modes may be divided based on before andafter an EMG waveform occurs. At this point, if a previous modecorresponds to a terminal lock state and a subsequent mode correspondsto a terminal unlock state, a user may unlock the terminal by squeezingit. Additionally, if a previous mode corresponds to a sleep state and asubsequent mode corresponds to a wake state, a user may wake theterminal by squeezing it. If a previous mode corresponds to a callreception state and a subsequent mode corresponds to a call state, auser may make a call by squeezing the terminal. If a previous modecorresponds to a message reception state and a subsequent modecorresponds to a message displaying state, a user may confirm themessage by squeezing the terminal. If a previous mode corresponds to anapplication standby state and a subsequent mode corresponds to anapplication execution state, a user may execute the application bysqueezing the terminal Additionally, if a previous mode corresponds to acontent's one interval playback state and a subsequent mode correspondsto a content's next interval playback state, a user may turn a pageover, display the next image, or play the next music, by squeezing theterminal.

FIG. 27 is a view of an ECG pattern according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 27, an ECG signal includes a P point, a Q point, an Rpoint, an S point, and a T point. Through these, several segments suchas a heart rate, PR interval, PR complex, QRS complex, ST segment, andQT interval may be extracted from an ECG signal. Some segments areunique to each other. Accordingly, the portable terminal 100 may obtainan ECG pattern from the segments, and may perform ECG authenticationthrough the obtained ECG pattern. As the segments are increased,security may be enhanced further.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling an operationof a portable terminal according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 28, it is assumed that the portable terminal 100operates in linkage with an ear accessory such as the headset 51 or theheadphone 300, and the ear accessory includes an ear speaker, an earcontact ECG electrode, and a hand contact ECG electrode. The earaccessory may be connected to the portable terminal 100 wire/wirelessly.

First, the control unit 180 detects that a user wears an ear accessorythrough an ear contact ECG electrode in operation S10. At this point,while audio is outputted through the speaker of the portable terminal100, the control unit 180 stops the audio output through the speaker andoutputs audio through the ear speaker of the ear accessory.

When a user executes a music application, i.e. an MP3 function, afterwearing the ear accessory in operation S11, the control unit 180 outputsan audio signal outputted from an audio codec to the ear speaker of theear accessory in operation S12. At this point, when the control unit 180detects that a user removes the ear accessory through the ear contactECG electrode of the ear accessory, it may pause audio playback, or mayoutput audio through the speaker of the portable terminal 100 afterstopping the audio output through the ear speaker of the ear accessory.

While audio is outputted through the ear accessory, a user selects a bioinformation related application, i.e. an ECG related application, from amenu, and executes it in operation S13. Then, the control unit 180receives the ECG signal, detected through the ear contact ECG electrodeof the ear accessory, by using the earphone jack 176 and the ECG sensor,and displays information, obtained from the ECG signal, and the ECGsignal on the display unit 151 in operation S14. Accordingly, accordingto an embodiment, listening to music and ECG measurement may beperformed simultaneously by using the ear accessory.

Then, when detect signals Hand_R and Hand_L are received through theearphone jack 176 in operation S15 after the user's hand contacts thehand contact ECG electrode at the outside of the ear accessory, thecontrol unit 180 determines a hand contact type through the contactsensing unit and controls audio playback (for example, Play, Forward,Reverse, Pause, and others) according to hand contact information inoperation S16. Especially, the control unit 180 controls audio playbackaccording to Table 1.

Moreover, when an audio function is not executed with the ear accessoryput on and the ECG related application is executed in operations S10 andS13, the control unit 180 receives the ECG signal, detected from the earcontact ECG electrode of the ear accessory, through the earphone jack176 and the ECG sensor, and displays information obtained from the ECGsignal or the ECG signal on the display unit 151 in operation S14.Accordingly, in this case, only an ECG measurement function is performedby using the ear accessory.

Then, a usage case of a mode changing method of a portable terminalaccording to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 29to 38.

FIG. 29 is a view illustrating a process for releasing a lock stateaccording to an embodiment.

First, the portable terminal 100 checks a DC level increase of an ECGsignal in a sleep mode during a first mode M1. When the body does notcontact the electrode, the portable terminal 100 only need to check a DClevel increase of an ECG signal without checking whether there is an ECGwaveform, so the power consumption of the portable terminal 100 may bereduced in the sleep mode.

When a user's finger contacts one of the plurality of ECG electrodes171, the portable terminal 100 changes into the second mode M2 in orderto check whether there is the ECG waveform in the sleep mode.

When a user grips the portable terminal 100 in the second mode M2 inwhich whether there is the ECG waveform is checked, the portableterminal 100 changes into the third mode M3 and wakes up from the sleepmode in order to display a lock state screen. When a predetermined timeelapses after a user puts the portable terminal 100 down in the secondmode M2, the portable terminal 100 changes into the first mode M1 inorder to check a DC level increase of an ECG signal in a sleep mode.

When a user grips the portable terminal 100 in the third mode M3 inwhich the lock state screen is displayed, the portable terminal 100changes into the fourth mode M4 in order to perform user authenticationthrough an ECG signal. When a predetermined time elapses after a userputs the portable terminal 100 down in the third mode M3, the portableterminal 100 changes into the first mode M1 in order to check a DC levelincrease of an ECG signal in a sleep mode. When a predetermined timeelapses after a user does not squeeze the portable terminal 100 and thusthe finger contacts one of the plurality of ECG electrodes 171, theportable terminal 100 changes into the second mode M2 in order to checkwhether there is an ECG waveform in a sleep mode.

If the user authentication is successful in the fourth mode M4, theportable terminal 100 changes into the fifth mode M5 in order to releasethe lock state. When a predetermined time elapses after a user puts theportable terminal 100 down in the fourth mode M4, the portable terminal100 changes into the first mode M1. When a predetermined time elapsesafter a user does not squeeze the portable terminal 100 and thus thefinger contacts one of the plurality of ECG electrodes 171, the portableterminal 100 changes into the second mode M2.

When a predetermined time elapses after a user puts the portableterminal 100 down in the fifth mode M5 in which the lock state isreleased, the portable terminal 100 changes into the first mode M1. Whena predetermined time elapses after a user does not squeeze the portableterminal 100 and thus the finger contacts one of the plurality of ECGelectrodes 171 in the fifth mode M5, the portable terminal 100 changesinto the second mode M2.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating a process for releasing a lock stateaccording to another embodiment. Especially, FIG. 30 shows an examplefor releasing a screen lock by measuring a user's heartbeat.

As shown in FIG. 30, the control unit 180 measures the heartbeat of auser and stores it in the memory 160 in operation S10. Then, when theuser wears an ear accessory, the control unit 180 confirms the currentheartbeat of the user through an ECG signal detected from the earcontact ECG electrode of the ear accessory in operation S32.

Then, the control unit 180 compares the confirmed current heartbeat witha pre-stored reference heartbeat in operation S33, and if they areidentical, the screen lock is released in operation S37. However, if thetwo heartbeats are not identical, the screen lock state is maintained inoperation S34, and a password input window for inputting a password isdisplayed on the display unit 151 in operation S35. Then, if a passwordinputted in the password input window is identical to a pre-storedpassword, the control unit 180 releases the screen lock in operationS37. If they are identical, the screen lock state is maintained inoperation S34.

As mentioned above, according to an embodiment, with an ECG sensorequipped in a wire/wireless headset or an ECG sensor, a user may measureECG naturally while listening to music. By contacting one side of theheadset by the hand, audio playback may be controlled or operationcontrols (for example, call reception and lock control) of variousportable terminals may be performed.

FIG. 31 is a view illustrating a process for making a call according toan embodiment.

First, the portable terminal 100 plays bell sound, or generatesvibration by receiving a call in a sleep mode during a first mode M1.

When a user's finger contacts one of the plurality of ECG electrodes 171in the first mode M1, the portable terminal 100 changes into the secondmode M2 in order to wake up and executes a phone call program.

When a user grips the portable terminal 100 in the second mode M2, theportable terminal 100 changes into the third mode M3 in order to reducethe volume of the bell sound, stop the bell sound playback, or stop thevibration.

When a user grips the portable terminal 100 in the third mode M3, theportable terminal 100 changes into the fourth mode M4 in order toperform user authentication through an ECG signal.

If the user authentication is successful, the portable terminal 100changes into the fifth mode M5 in order to start a phone call.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling an operationof a portable terminal according to an embodiment.

The control unit 180 recognizes whether the portable terminal 100 entersa call mode in operation S1010.

While the portable terminal 100 enters the call mode, in case that anobject adjacent to a specific region of the body of the portableterminal 100 is detected in operation S1020, the control unit 180obtains ECG data through the ECG electrode 171 in operation S1030.

In operation S1020, an object adjacent to the specific region of thebody of the portable terminal 100 may be detected by the proximitysensor 141. Moreover, the specific region where the adjacent object isdetected is a region having the sound outputting module 152 thatoperates as a speaker for outputting a call sound during a call mode.That is, an object adjacent to the sound outputting module 152 may bedetected in operation S1020 through the proximity sensor 141 adjacent tothe sound outputting module 152.

Moreover, in operation S1020, when detecting an object adjacent to thespecific region of the body of the portable terminal 100 through theproximity sensor 141, the control unit 180 transmits a control signal tothe switch 310 in order to connect the ECG sensor 142 c with the ECGelectrode 171 at the body of the portable terminal 100. Especially, thecontrol unit 180 transmits a control signal to the switch 310 in orderto connect the ECG sensor 142 c adjacent to the sound outputting module152 with the ECG electrode 171 at the body of the portable terminal 100.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 32, only when the portable terminal 100enters the call mode and an object adjacent to a specific region of thebody of the portable terminal 100 is detected, ECG data are obtainedfrom the control unit 180. However, the present invention is not limitedthereto.

According to the present invention, when a user uses an ear accessorysuch as the headset 50 or the earphone 300, i.e. an ear accessory isattached to the portable terminal 100, the control unit 180 may obtainECG data even if an object adjacent to a specific area of the body ofthe portable terminal 100 is not detected. In this case, when entering acall mode, the control unit 180 transmits a control signal to the switch310 in order to connect the ECG sensor 142 c with the ECG electrode 171at the body of the portable terminal 100. Then, when the ear accessoryhas an ECG electrode, the control unit 180 transmits a control signal tothe switch 310 in order to the ECG sensor 142 c with the ECG electrodeof the ear accessory.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart illustrating a method of determining whether toend a call of a portable terminal according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 33, when the portable terminal 180 enters a call modein operation S2010, the control unit 180 analyzes ECG data obtained fromthe ECG sensor 142 c, and obtains an emotional state or excitement of auser in operation S2020. At this point, the control unit 180 obtainsfeature parameters, which are criteria for determining an emotionalstate or excitement of a user, from ECG data through the analysis of theECG data, in order to obtain the emotional state or excitement of a userfrom the feature parameters. The feature parameters may be a peak valueof an ECG signal and a heart rate or a cardiac cycle, which is obtainedby using the peak value of the ECG signal.

If the user's excitement obtained in operation S2020 is greater than thepredetermined level in operation S2030, the control unit 180 outputs analarm that notifies the user's excitement state in operation S2040.Additionally, the control unit 180 may end a call with the other partyin order for the stability of a user in operation S2060.

An alarm that notifying a user's excitement state may be outputted invarious forms.

For example, if the user's excitement is greater than the predeterminedlevel, the control unit 180 may transmit a guide sound that notifies theuser's excitement to the other side.

Additionally, for example, if the user's excitement is greater than thepredetermined level, the control unit 180 may output a guide sound or avibration sound that notifies the user's excitement to a user, or maydisplay a warning message on the display module 151.

Furthermore, when the user's excitement is greater than thepredetermined level, a call is terminated compulsorily as shown in FIG.33, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

According to the present invention, if the user's excitement is greaterthan the predetermined level, the control unit 180 may output an alarmthat notifies a user's state and may not terminate the call.

Moreover, according to the present invention, if the user's excitementis greater than the predetermined level, the control unit 180 may storea call history to the other side in the memory 160.

Again, referring to FIG. 33, if call termination is requested from auser in operation S2050, or a call mode is terminated when the user'sexcitement is greater than the predetermined level, the control unit 180a user's emotions state or excitement in the memory 160 in operationS2070.

For example, the control unit 180 may include a user's emotional stateor excitement obtained by a call mode in the call history, and then, maystore it.

Furthermore, for example, the control unit 180 may match the user'semotional state or excitement obtained in a call mode to the contactinformation of the other side, and then, may store it.

FIG. 34 is a view when a user's emotional state is matched to thecontact information of the other side call and is stored in a phonebook.

Referring to FIG. 34, as a call with the other side A is terminated, thecontrol unit 180 matches to the contact information of the other side Aan emotional state (for example, feels good) that a user feels about theother side A during a call and stores it in a phone book.

Then, when the control unit 180 reads the contact information of theother side A from the phone book and displays it on a screen, the storedemotional state 9 a of the user is additionally read and displayed onthe same screen. The user's emotional state may be represented withvarious forms such as emoticon and text. FIG. 34 is a view when a user'semotional state is represented with an emoticon form.

Additionally, if information on a user's emotional state or excitementfor the other side is already stored, the control unit 180 may updatethe user's emotional state or excitement by using the currently-obtainedemotional state or excitement.

Moreover, the control unit 180 may continuously store a user's emotionalstate or excitement obtained during a call mode.

FIG. 35 is a view illustrating a method of managing a user's healthstate by using ECG data in a portable terminal 100 according to anembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 35, the control unit 180 obtains the user's healthstate on the basis of the user's ECG data obtained through the ECGsensor 142 c in operation S3010.

The control unit 180 obtains feature parameters such as a peak value, aheart rate, and a cardiac cycle, which are criteria for determining auser's health state, from the ECG data through an analysis of ECG data.Moreover, the control unit 180 obtains a user's health state on thebasis of the feature parameters.

Additionally, the control unit 180 stores the obtained ECG data andhealth state in the memory 160. The user's ECG data and health state maybe stored in addition to the time and position at which they areobtained.

The control unit 180 confirms the user's health state on the basis ofthe obtained health state, and if it is determined that the user'shealth state is poor in operation S3020, generates an alarm in operationS3030.

For example, the control unit 180 outputs guide sound or vibrationsound, which notifies the health state abnormality to the user, ordisplays a message, which notifies the health state abnormality throughthe display module 151.

Moreover, for example, the control unit 180 transmits a messagenotifying a user's health state abnormality or user's health stateinformation by using a predetermined phone number.

Again, referring to FIG. 35, even if it is determined that the user'shealth state is normal, when it comes to a predetermined period inoperation S3040, the control unit 180 transmits the user's health stateincluding the obtained ECG data, heart rate, and cardiac period to thepredetermined other side by using the phone number and e-mail address ofthe predetermined other side in operation S3050.

In operation S3020, the control unit 180 compares thepreviously-obtained ECG data heart rate, and cardiac period with thecurrently-obtained ECG data heart rate, and cardiac period, and if thereis a great change, determines that the user's health abnormality occurs.

Moreover, in operation S3020, the control unit 180 compares the obtainedECG data heart rate, and cardiac period with the predetermined level,and if they are out of the predetermined range, determines that theuser's health abnormality occurs.

According to an embodiment, the user's ECG data obtained through the ECGsensor 142 c may be used in various fields in addition to theabove-mentioned call mode control and health state management.

For example, the control unit 180 obtains the user's emotional statefrom the ECG data obtained through the ECG sensor 142 c, and then,stores them combined with the current position of the portable terminal100. The health state combined with the position information and storedmay be used for criteria for searching specific position informationsuch as famous restaurants and providing it to a user. For example,restaurants having a negative rating of a user's emotional state may beexcluded from a famous restaurant list that recommended to a user.Furthermore, for example, restaurants having a positive rating of auser's emotional state may be recommended first to a user.

Furthermore, for example, the control unit 180 obtains the user'semotional state from the ECG data through the ECG sensor 142 c, andthen, selectively provides only specific position information matchingthe user's emotional state to a user.

Furthermore, for example, the control unit 180 obtains the user'semotional state from the ECG data or stress index through the ECG sensor142 c, and then, recommends specific content to a user on the basis ofthem. When a user shows a negative emotional state or a high stressindex, the control unit 18 may recommend or provide specific kinds ofcontents that help user's stability or refresh to the user. Here, thecontents provided for user's stability or refresh may be set by a user.

Moreover, according to the above embodiment, a case that a user's ECGsignal is measured when the portable terminal 100 operates in a callmode was described but the present invention is not limited thereto.According to the present invention, the control unit 180 may beapplicable to measuring a user's ECG signal when a user requests ECGsignal measurement through the user input unit 130.

According to the above-mentioned embodiment, a portable terminal maymeasure user's ECG signal without additional electronic device orequipment. Furthermore, a portable terminal, which performs variousfunctions in addition to an ECG signal measurement function, activatesECG signal measurement only in a designated mode, so that powerconsumption for ECG signal measurement may be minimized. Furthermore,when the portable terminal does not operate in a call mode, electrodesare electrically separated from a signal processing unit. Therefore,noise from an external, which flows through electrodes, may be minimizedand an internal circuit may be protected.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling an operationof a portable terminal according to another embodiment. The embodimentof FIG. 36 relates to a process of call reception instead of an MP3function, and its basic operation is similar to that of the embodimentof FIG. 28.

That is, when a call is received with the headset being worn by a user,the control unit 180 automatically connects a phone call in operationS20 to S22 While a user selects a bio information measurementapplication, i.e. an ECG measurement application, from a menu, andexecutes it in operation S23, the control unit 180 receives the ECGsignal, detected from the ear contact electrode of the ear accessory,through the earphone jack 176 and the ECG sensor, and displaysinformation, obtained from the ECG signal, and the ECG signal on thedisplay unit 151 in operations S23 to S26. Accordingly, the presentinvention may measure ECG during a phone call by using the headset.

Then, when detect signals Hand_R and Hand_L are received through theearphone jack 176 in operations S27 and 28 after the user's handcontacts the hand contact electrode 50 b of the ear accessory, thecontrol unit 180 determines a hand contact type through the contactsensing unit and controls the phone call connection (for example, callconnection and call waiting) according to hand contact information inoperation S29.

FIG. 37 is a view illustrating a process for confirming message contentaccording to an embodiment.

First, the portable terminal 100 plays bell sound, or generatesvibration by receiving a message in a sleep mode during a first mode M1.

When a user's finger contacts one of the plurality of ECG electrodes 171in the first mode M1, the portable terminal 100 changes into the secondmode M2 in order to check an ECG waveform in the sleep mode.

When a user grips the portable terminal 100 in the second mode M2, theportable terminal 100 changes into the third mode M3 in order to displaya message reception alarm.

When a user squeezes the portable terminal 100 in the third mode M3, theportable terminal 100 changes into the fourth mode M4 in order toperform user authentication through an ECG signal.

If the user authentication is successful, the portable terminal 100changes into the fifth mode M5 in order to display the received message.

FIG. 38 is a ladder diagram illustrating a method of evaluating anevaluation target through an emotion sensed from an ECG signal accordingto an embodiment.

The evaluation target may correspond to figures, pictures, comments, andnews articles.

FIG. 38 is described based on an ECG signal, but another body signal maybe used.

First, the evaluation server 600 transmits an evaluation request messageto the portable terminal 100.

The control unit 180 senses a DC level increase of an ECG signal inoperation S402. According to an embodiment, the control unit 180 maysense an ECG waveform.

When the DC level of an ECG signal is sensed, the control unit 180 ofthe portable terminal 100 displays an evaluation request alarm inoperation S403.

After the evaluation request alarm is displayed, the control unit 180senses an ECG waveform in operation S405. Operation S405 may be omitted.

The control unit 180 receives an evaluation target request user input inoperation S409. The evaluation target request user input may correspondto an EMG waveform.

When the evaluation target request user input is displayed, the controlunit 180 detects an ECG waveform in operation S409.

In operation S411, the control unit 180 detects an emotion beforeevaluation from the ECG signal detected in operation S409.

The control unit 180 confirms whether a pattern of the ECG signaldetected in operation S409 is identical to that registered by a user ofthe portable terminal 100, and then, performs user authentication inoperation S413.

If the user authentication is successful, the control unit 180 transmitsan evaluation target request message to the evaluation server 600through a communication module in operation S415.

According to an embodiment, when operations S401 to S407 and operationS413 are omitted, the control unit 180 detects a touch of an evaluationtarget link in order to transmit an evaluation target request message.

The evaluation server 600 transmits an evaluation target in response tothe evaluation target request message in operation S417.

The control unit 180 detects a DC level increase of an ECG signal inoperation S418. According to an embodiment, the control unit 180 maydetect an ECG waveform.

When a DC level of an ECG signal is sensed, the control unit 180displays the received evaluation target in operation S419.

After the evaluation target is displayed, the control unit 180 detectsan ECG waveform in operation S421. Operation S421 may be omitted.

The control unit 180 receives an automatic evaluation user input inoperation S423. The automatic evaluation user input may correspond to anEMG waveform.

The control unit 180 detects an ECG signal in operation S425.

In operation S427, the control unit 180 detects an emotion afterevaluation from the ECG signal detected in operation S425.

For example, the control unit 180 may determine a user's emotionaccording to Table 3.

TABLE 3 Beats per minute Very excited 120 over Excited 90-120 Stable50-90  Depressed 50 below

The control unit 180 compares the emotion before evaluation with theemotion after evaluation and determines an evaluation result inoperation S429. For example, the control unit 180 determines excitementor stability through a change in a pulse frequency and on the basis ofthis, determines an evaluation result. If an interesting video is anevaluation target, whether the video is funny is determined on the basisof an increased heart rate, compared to a heart rate before watching thevideo.

The control unit 180 confirms whether a pattern of the ECG signaldetected in operation S425 is identical to that registered by a user ofthe portable terminal 100, and then, performs user authentication inoperation S431.

If the user authentication is successful, the control unit 180 transmitsan evaluation result to the evaluation server 600 through acommunication module in operation S433.

According to an embodiment, operation S401 and operation S402 correspondto the first mode M1; operation S403 and operation S405 correspond tothe second mode M2; operation S407 corresponds to the third mode M3;operation S409, operation S411, and operation S413 correspond to thefourth mode M1; and operation S415 corresponds to the fifth mode M5.Additionally, operation S417 and operation S418 correspond to the firstmode M1; operation S419 and operation S421 correspond to the second modeM2; operation S423 corresponds to the third mode M3; operation S427,operation S429, and operation S431 correspond to the fourth mode M1; andoperation S433 corresponds to the fifth mode M5.

Relations of operations and modes of FIG. 38 may be changed. Forexample, operation S401 and operation S402 may correspond to the secondmode M2; operation S403, operation S405, and operation S407 maycorrespond to the third mode M3; operation S409, operation S411, andoperation S413 may correspond to the fourth mode M4; and operation S415may correspond to the fifth mode M5. Additionally, operation S417 andoperation S418 may correspond to the second mode M2; operation S419,operation S421, and operation S423 may correspond to the third mode M3;operation S425, operation S427, and operation S429 may correspond to thefourth mode M4; and operation S433 may correspond to the fifth mode M5.

A data transmitting method of a portable terminal according to anembodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 39 to 45.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart illustrating a data transmitting method of aportable terminal according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 39, a portable terminal 100 may communicate with afirst device 400 and a second device 500. However, let's assume that theportable terminal communicates with the first device 400.

First, the control unit 180 detects event occurrence in operation S101,and waits to receive an ECG signal. Here, an event may correspond tocall reception, program execution, file selection for transmission,device selection for connection, and communication method selection.Here, a program may correspond to a contact related program, a name cardrelated program, a document transmission related program, a musicplayback program, and a video playback program. A file for transmissionmay correspond to contacts, name cards, documents, music files and videofiles.

The control unit 180 receives a communication request user input inoperation S103. Here, the communication request user input maycorrespond to an EMG waveform.

Then, the control unit 180 detects en ECG signal through the ECG sensor142 c.

The control unit 180 recognizes an ECG pattern from the ECG signal, andconfirms whether an ECG pattern of a user stored in the memory 160 isidentical to the recognized ECG pattern in order to perform ECGauthentication in operation S107.

If the user's ECG pattern is not stored in the memory 160 or they arenot identical, the control unit 180 displays a password input window onthe display unit 151 in operation S111.

The control unit 180 receives a password in operation S113, and confirmswhether the received password is identical to a password stored in thememory 160 in order to perform password authentication in operationS115. If the password authentication is failed, the control unit 180terminates data transmission.

Moreover, if the password authentication is successful, the control unit180 stores the recognized ECG pattern in the memory 160 in order toperform ECG pattern update in operation S117. The ECG pattern updatewill be described with reference to FIG. 40.

FIG. 40 is a view illustrating a process for ECG pattern updateaccording to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 40, a user performs ECG authentication through twoelectrodes attached to the left and right of the portable terminal 100in operation S107. However, if the ECG authentication is failed, apassword input window is displayed on the display unit 151. The userinputs a password by touching the display unit 151 in operation S111. Ifthe password authentication is successful, the control unit 180recognizes an ECG pattern in order to perform ECG pattern update inoperation S117.

When the ECG authentication is successful or the password authenticationis successful, the control unit 180 of the portable terminal 100transmits a connection device confirmation message to devices around inoperation S121. According to an embodiment, the control unit 180 of theportable terminal 100 outputs a connection device confirmation messageto devices around through the body communication module 116. Accordingto an embodiment, the control unit 180 transmits a connection deviceconfirmation message through another communication module such as a WLANcommunication modem, a Wibro communication modem, an HSDPA communicationmodem, a Bluetooth communication module, and an infrared communicationmodem. At this point, if there are more than two devices around, theconnection device confirmation message may be transmitted to all thedevices 400 around.

Additionally, while a device receiving the connection deviceconfirmation message transmits a response message, if the first device400 and the second device 500 transmit the response message, conflictmay occur. Accordingly, the first device 400 determines delay timethrough a random function in operation S123, and transmits a responsemessage to the portable terminal 100 after a predetermined delay timeelapses in operation S125. Also, the second device 500 determines delaytime through a random function in operation S127, and transmits aresponse message to the portable terminal 100 after a predetermineddelay time elapses in operation S129.

The devices around may transmit a response message through acommunication module such as the body communication module 116, a WLANcommunication modem, a Wibro communication modem, an HSDPA communicationmodem, a Bluetooth communication module, and an infrared communicationmodem. The devices around may transmit a response message by using thesame communication method as the one through which the connection deviceconfirmation message is transmitted, or by using a differentcommunication method from the one through which the connection deviceconfirmation message is transmitted.

The response message may include a device identifier, a device type,owner information, communication capability information, and connectionsetting information. The device type may be information on whether adevice is the headset, a mobile phone, a TV, or a computer. Thecommunication capability information may correspond to information onwhich one of a plurality of communication methods such as WLANcommunication, Wibro communication, HSDPA communication, Bluetoothcommunication, and infrared communication is supported by a device. Theconnection setting information may correspond to information necessaryfor connecting to a supported communication method. According to anembodiment, a device identifier, a device type, owner information,communication capability information, and connection setting informationmay be transmitted through an additional message separated from aresponse message.

The control unit 180 of the portable terminal 100 receiving the responsemessage displays a graphical user interface (GUI) supporting variousselections on the display unit 151, and receives a user input ifnecessary in operation S131. The GUI according to various embodimentswill be described with reference to FIGS. 41 to 45.

FIG. 41 is view illustrating GUI for selecting a device to be connectedaccording to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 41, the control unit 180 displays a searched devicelist on the display unit 151, and provides selection for deviceconnection to a user. Each item of the displayed list may include atleast one of a device identifier, a device type, owner information,communication capability information, and connection settinginformation.

According to an embodiment, if the number of the searched devices isone, the control unit 180 may not display the searched device list.According to an embodiment, the control unit 180 may select a device forconnection without user's selection on the basis of types of events andfiles to be transmitted instead of not displaying the searched devicelist. When control unit 180 detects event occurrence and a connectiondevice is selected, displaying the GUI for selecting a device to beconnected may not be omitted.

FIG. 42 is view illustrating GUI for selecting a device to be connectedaccording to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 42, the control unit 180 displays on the display unit151 a list of a common connection type among a connection type that theselected device supports and a connection type that the portableterminal 100 supports, and provides selection for connection type to auser. Especially, the control unit 180 determines required quality ofservice (QoS) on the basis of types of events and files to betransmitted, and displays on the display unit 151 a list of a connectiontype that satisfies QoS, which is determined from the common connectiontype. When control unit 180 detects event occurrence and a connectiontype is selected, displaying the GUI to select a connection type may beomitted.

FIG. 43 is view illustrating GUI for file selection according to anembodiment.

As shown in FIG. 43, the control unit 180 displays an icon of at leastone file on the display unit 151, and provides selection for a file tobe transmitted to a user. When control unit 180 detects event occurrenceand a file to be transmitted is selected, displaying the GUI for fileselection may be omitted.

FIG. 44 is view illustrating GUI for file selection according to anotherembodiment.

As shown in FIG. 44, the control unit 180 displays the GUI including afirst region that displays a transmission available file list that theportable terminal 100 has and a second region that displays atransmission available file list that a connected device has. When afile in the first region is dragged on the second region, the controlunit 180 may transmits the dragged file to a device through a selectedconnection type. When a file in the second region is dragged on thefirst region, the control unit 180 may receive the dragged file from theconnected device through a selected connection type.

FIG. 45 is view illustrating GUI according to an embodiment.

The GUI shown in FIG. 45 includes a plurality of regions, whichcorrespond to a plurality of searched devices, respectively. Each regionincludes GUI for controlling a corresponding device. That is, GUI forconnection type selection, GUI for transmission file selection, and GUIfor volume adjustment may be provided to each region.

FIG. 39 is described again.

The control unit 180 determines required QoS on the basis of types ofevents and files to be transmitted, and selects a connection type thatsatisfies QoS in operation S133 in order to provide user convenience.

The control unit 180 provides a communication preparation commandmessage to the first device 400, i.e. the selected device, in operationS135. The control unit 180 may output the communication preparationcommand message to the two ECG electrodes 171 through the bodycommunication module 116. When a connection type is selected, thecontrol unit 180 may provide the communication preparation commandmessage to the selected device through a communication module for theselected connection type.

Once the communication preparation command message is received, thefirst device 400 prepares communication in operation S137. Thecommunication preparation command message may include information on theselected connection type. In this case, the first device 400 may turn ona communication module for the selected connection type.

Then, the control unit 180 of the portable terminal 100 performscommunication with the selected device, i.e. the first device 400,through the communication module for the selected communication methodin operation S139.

According to an embodiment, operation S101 may correspond to the secondmode M2; operation S103 may correspond to the third mode M3; operationsS105 to operation S117 may correspond to the fourth mode M4; andoperations S121 to S139 may correspond to the fifth mode M5.

According to another embodiment, operation S101 may correspond to thesecond mode M2; operation S103 may correspond to the third mode M3;operations S105 to operation S117 may correspond to the fourth mode M4;operations S121 to S129 may correspond to the second mode M2; operationsS131 and S133 may correspond to the third mode M3; and operations S135to S139 may correspond to the fifth mode M5. At this point, in the thirdmode M3, the control unit 180 provides recommendation on a communicationtarget, a communication method, and transmission files, and changes intothe next mode after detecting an EMG waveform. Moreover, the forth modeM4 may be added between operation S133 and operation S135.

Then, usage cases according to an embodiment will be described withreference to FIGS. 46 to 52.

FIG. 46 is a view illustrating a process for transmitting a contactnumber to the other side's mobile phone according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 46, once a contact number related program is executed,it waits for ECG authentication. When the user's hand contacts the twoECG electrodes 171, the contact number related program or an ECGauthentication program related thereto performs ECG authentication.Then, when the user shakes hands with the other side, the contact numberrelated program confirms the other side's mobile phone by using the twoECG electrodes 171 through a body communication method. Once the otherside's mobile phone is confirmed, the contact number related programexchanges a contact number with the other side's mobile phone by usingthe two ECG electrodes 171 through a body communication method.

FIG. 47 is a view illustrating a process for listening to musicaccording to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 47, once a music playback program is executed, it waitsfor ECG authentication. When the user's hand contacts the two ECGelectrodes 171, the music playback program or an ECG authenticationprogram related thereto performs ECG authentication. Then, the musicplayback program confirms the headset by using the two ECG electrodes171 through a body communication method. Once the headset is confirmed,the music playback program transmits music to the headset by using thetwo ECG electrodes 171 through a body communication method.

FIG. 48 is view illustrating a process for phone call according to anembodiment.

As shown in FIG. 48, when a mobile phone receives a call, a phone callprogram notifies a call reception to a user through bell sound orvibration, and waits for ECG authentication. When the user's handcontacts the two ECG electrodes 171, the phone call program or an ECGauthentication program related thereto performs ECG authentication.Then, the phone call program confirms the headset by using the two ECGelectrodes 171 through a body communication method. Once the headset isconfirmed, the phone call program transmits the other side's voice tothe headset by using the two ECG electrodes 171 through a bodycommunication method, and receives a user's voice from the headset.

FIG. 49 is a view illustrating a process for transmitting a securityfile to the other side's mobile phone according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 49, once a file transmission program is executed, itwaits for ECG authentication. When the user's hand contacts the two ECGelectrodes 171, the file transmission program or an ECG authenticationprogram related thereto performs ECG authentication. Then, when the usershakes hands with the other side, the file transmission program confirmsthe other side's mobile phone by using the two ECG electrodes 171through a body communication method. Once the other side's mobile phoneis confirmed, the file transmission program determines a communicationmethod on the basis of the size of the security file. If the size of thesecurity file is too large and thus a body communication method cannotbe used, the file transmission program transmits the security file tothe other side's mobile phone through a short range communicationmethod.

FIG. 50 is a view illustrating a process for listening to musicaccording to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 50, once a music playback program is executed, it waitsfor ECG authentication. When the user's hand contacts the two ECGelectrodes 171, the music playback program or an ECG authenticationprogram related thereto performs ECG authentication. Then, the musicplayback program confirms the headset by using the two ECG electrodes171 through a body communication method. According to an embodiment, themusic playback program may confirm the headset through a Bluetoothcommunication method. If a user wants to listen to high-quality music orwants to put down the mobile phone, the music playback program transmitsmusic to the headset through a short range communication method such asa Bluetooth communication method.

FIG. 51 is view illustrating a process for phone call according to anembodiment.

As shown in FIG. 51, when a mobile phone receives a call, a phone callprogram notifies a call reception to a user through bell sound orvibration, and waits for ECG authentication. When the user's handcontacts the two ECG electrodes 171, the phone call program or an ECGauthentication program related thereto performs ECG authentication.Then, the phone call program confirms the headset by using the two ECGelectrodes 171 through a body communication method. According to anembodiment, the music playback program may confirm the headset through aBluetooth communication method. If a user wants to put down the mobilephone, the music playback program transmits the other side′ voice to theheadset through a short range communication method such as a Bluetoothcommunication method, and receives a user's voice from the headset.

FIG. 52 is a view illustrating a process for watching a video accordingto an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 52, once a video playback program is executed, it waitsfor ECG authentication. When the user's hand contacts the two ECGelectrodes 171, the video playback program or an ECG authenticationprogram related thereto performs ECG authentication. Then, the videoplayback program confirms a TV or a monitor by using the two ECGelectrodes 171 through a body communication method. According to anembodiment, the video playback program may confirm a TV through awireless LAN method, wireless High-Definition Multimedia Interface(HDMI), and a Bluetooth communication method. Since video transmissionrequires a large bandwidth, the video playback program transmits a videoto a TV through a communication method having a large bandwidth such aswireless HDMI.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, a user cancontrol various functions of a terminal through a signal obtained from abody without an external input device such as a keyboard or a mouse.

Even if a user intentionally does not try to measure anelectrocardiogram (ECG) signal, a mobile/portable terminal according toembodiments of the present invention can measure an ECG signalautomatically during a call or listening to music. Moreover, powerconsumed for measuring an ECG signal may be reduced in a mobile/portableterminal.

The above method can also be embodied as computer readable codes on acomputer readable recording medium. Examples of the computer readablerecording medium include read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory(RAM), CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, and optical data storagedevices. The method can also be embodied as carrier waves (such as datatransmission through the Internet).

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number ofillustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerousother modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled inthe art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles ofthis disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modificationsare possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subjectcombination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawingsand the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications inthe component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also beapparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A user terminal device comprising: an earaccessory of the user terminal device including: a firstelectrocardiogram (ECG) electrode contacted with an ear of a user, asecond ECG electrode contacted with a hand of the user, and a firstspeaker configured to output an audio signal; a display; and acontroller configured to: display, on the display, bio information basedon a first ECG signal from the first ECG electrode when the ear of theuser is contacted with the first ECG electrode, and control an audioplayback in response to a second ECG signal from the second ECGelectrode when the hand of the user is contacted with the second ECGelectrode.
 2. The user terminal device according to claim 1, wherein thebio information includes a result of an ECG measurement.
 3. The userterminal device according to claim 1, further comprising: an ECG sensorconfigured to generate the first ECG signal through the first ECGelectrode and the second ECG signal through the ECG electrode,respectively.
 4. The user terminal device according to claim 1, whereinthe ear accessory further includes: an ECG sensor configured to generatethe first ECG signal through the first ECG electrode and the second ECGsignal through the ECG electrode, respectively.
 5. The user terminaldevice according to claim 1, further comprising: a second speaker,wherein when the audio signal is being output through the second speakerand the ear of the user is contacted with the first ECG electrode, thecontroller is configured to pause an output of the audio signal throughthe second speaker and control the audio signal to output through thefirst speaker.
 6. The user terminal device according to claim 1, whereinthe controller is configured to output the audio signal through thefirst speaker in response to an execution of an audio application whenthe ear accessory is worn.
 7. The user terminal device according toclaim 6, wherein the controller is configured to pause an output of theaudio signal through the first speaker and control the audio signal tooutput through the second speaker when the ear accessory is taken off.8. The user terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the controlleris configured to display, on the display, the bio information from thefirst ECG electrode in response to an execution of a bio application. 9.The user terminal device according to claim 8, wherein at the same time,the controller is configured to control the audio signal through thefirst speaker.
 10. The user terminal device according to claim 1,wherein the controller is configured to: receive the second ECG signalfrom the second ECG electrode when the hand of the user is contactedwith the second ECG electrode, determine a contact type of a user handwith the second ECG electrode, and control the audio playback accordingto the contact type of the user hand.
 11. A method of controlling a userterminal device, the user terminal device including an ear accessory ofthe user terminal device, a second speaker and a display, the earaccessory including a first electrocardiogram (ECG) electrode contactedwith an ear of a user, a second ECG electrode contacted with a hand ofthe user, and a first speaker configured to output an audio signal, themethod comprising: detecting if the ear accessory is worn; displaying,on the display, bio information based on a first ECG signal from thefirst ECG electrode when the ear of the user is contacted with the firstECG electrode, and controlling an audio playback in response to a secondECG signal from the second ECG electrode when the hand of the user iscontacted with the second ECG electrode.
 12. The method according toclaim 11, wherein the bio information includes a result of an ECGmeasurement.
 13. The method according to claim 11, wherein when theaudio signal is being output through the second speaker and the ear ofthe user is contacted with the first ECG electrode, pausing an output ofthe audio signal through the second speaker and controlling the audiosignal to output through the first speaker.
 14. The method according toclaim 11, further comprising: outputting the audio signal through thefirst speaker in response to an execution of an audio application whenthe ear accessory is worn.
 15. The method according to claim 14, furthercomprising: pausing an output of the audio signal through the firstspeaker and controlling the audio signal to output through the secondspeaker when the ear accessory is taken off.
 16. The method according toclaim 11, further comprising: displaying, on the display, the bioinformation from the first ECG electrode in response to an execution ofa bio application.
 17. The method according to claim 16, furthercomprising: at the same time, controlling the audio signal through thefirst speaker.
 18. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:receiving the second ECG signal from the second ECG electrode when thehand of the user is contacted with the second ECG electrode, determininga contact type of a user hand with the second ECG electrode, andcontrolling the audio playback according to the contact type of the userhand.